Rules & Regulations

Notification / OM No. No. 35(231) PO(Coord-II)/P&D/2025 Dated 19-April-2025 Notification Issued By: Planning And Development Board, Government Of The Punjab Cost Updation Rules Under TS Explained by P&D Punjab–Notification: In another important development in Government Notifications, the Planning and Development Board Punjab has issued a comprehensive procedure for the provision of funds in cases where Technical Sanction (T.S.) exceeds Administrative Approval (A.A.). This move is aimed at ensuring accurate project costing and better transparency through the SMDP Portal. The notification references earlier communication dated 09.01.2025 and the updated Finance Department clarification issued on 14.04.2025. Now, Administrative Departments are permitted to submit cost update requests for ADP schemes where the T.S. reflects only original work costs. However, strict compliance is mandatory. Detailed documents including the approved TS, design estimates, justifications, and reappropriation sources must accompany each request. This update is critical for officials in charge of project planning, monitoring, and execution. At Vocal Pakistan, we keep you informed with verified Punjab government notifications, especially those affecting development and finance departments across the province. Please find notification: No. 35(231) PO(Coord-II)/P&D/2025GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJABPLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARDDated Lahore, the 19th April, 2025 Date To 1. The Senior Member, Board of Revenue, Punjab, Lahore 2. Additional Chief Secretary, South Punjab 3. All Administrative Secretaries to Government of the Punjab, Lahore 4. The Registrar Lahore High Court, Lahore 5. The Provincial Police Officer / I.G Police, Punjab, Lahore 6. All Commissioners in the Punjab 7. All Deputy Commissioners in the Punjab SUBJECT:             PROCEDURE FOR PROVISION OF FUNDS AGAINST CUSHION OF TECHNICAL SANCTION ACCORDED ABOVE ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL UNDER DELEGATION OF FINANCIAL POWERS RULES, 2016.                               In continuation to this office letter of Even No. dated 09.01.2025, whereby, it was informed that a separate procedure shall be devised for provision of funds for any Technical Sanction (T.S) granted beyond Administrative Approval (A.A), to ensure that actual project cost is accurately reflected in SMDP Portal. The updated clarification issued by the Finance Department on the matter vide letter No. FD(FR)II- 8/2025 dated 14.04.2025 is also enclosed. 02.                        Competent authority in P&D Board has been pleased to allow the processing of requests for cost updation of ADP schemes where the increase in cost is attributed to Technical Sanction (T.S.), accorded for award of original works only. Relevant Administrative Departments may submit such cases, on SMDP Portal of P&D, along with following documents: 1.            Copy of the Technical Sanction duly accorded by Authorized Officer. 2.            Justification for the increase in cost. 3.            Copies of the detailed report, design, and estimate, to support the claim. 4.            Letters/ documents along with data entry in relevant columns on SMDP Portal. 5.            Indication of required funds from Intra-sectoral reappropriation. 03.                        Furthermore, it is again reiterated that AD shall examine each case as per following guidelines. i.             Technical Sanction (T.S) is accorded on original works only, before award of contract. Any subsequent TS is violation of Delegation of Financial Powers Rules 2016, ii.            T.S. cushion is exercised solely to accommodate variations in quantities due to design changes, based on actual site requirements, as necessary to achieve scheme’s intended deliverables. iii.           Any change in the approved scope of project through Technical Sanction (TS) is illegal. 04.                        These guidelines are issued with the approval of the competent authority and shall come into force with immediate effect. SECRETARY P&D BOARD CHIEF (COORD & MONT) Strict Enforcement of Technical Sanction Guidelines Begins – Notification: This Government Notification from the P&D Board Punjab carries significant implications for all departments involved in the execution and funding of ADP schemes. It has now been clearly stated that any Technical Sanction granted post-contract award, or for changes beyond original scope, is a violation of the Delegation of Financial Powers Rules, 2016. Administrative Departments must strictly ensure that T.S. cushions are used only to account for quantity variations due to site conditions, not to alter the scheme’s scope. The SMDP Portal will serve as the primary platform for such submissions, improving audit trails and project accuracy. This latest P&D Board Punjab Notification aims to plug loopholes, prevent cost overruns, and enforce budgetary discipline across all development projects. Vocal Pakistan continues to bring you first-hand updates on critical financial rules, planning board circulars, and TS vs AA notifications, helping public sector professionals stay ahead in compliance and delivery. 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Notification / OM No. No.SO(EM-II)17-A-Misc/24 Dated 29-January-2025 Notification Issued By: Higher Education Department, Government Of The Punjab End of Rule 17-A: A Major Shift in Punjab’s Civil Service Recruitment Policy: In a significant policy decision, the Punjab Government has officially abolished Rule 17-A of the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment & Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974. This decision, approved by the Provincial Cabinet and the Chief Minister on 24th July 2024, effectively eliminates the special job quota previously granted to the families of deceased or disabled civil servants. The notification, published in The Punjab Gazette on 26th July 2024, marks a major transformation in the employment landscape for government jobs in Punjab. The decision aligns with a recent Supreme Court judgment, which ruled that appointing individuals without open competition and merit violates Article 18 of the Constitution. The Court declared such appointments discriminatory and against constitutional provisions ensuring equal job opportunities for all citizens. Furthermore, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has also been directed to withdraw similar job quota policies. This change will impact thousands of families who relied on Rule 17-A for government employment. However, the government justifies the move as part of broader reforms to ensure transparency, fairness, and merit-based recruitment. Notification Describes; No.SO(EM-II)17-A-Misc/24GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJABHIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Dated Lahore, the 29 January, 2025 To Director (Administration)DPI (Colleges), Punjab,Lahore. Is Subject :-       APPOINTMENT OF JUNIOR CLERKS (BS-11) UNDER RULE-17/A I am directed to refer to your letter No.1/1-2024/ 29964-65/E-I dated 02.08.2024, received from Director (Administration), DPI, Punjab, Lahore on the subject noted above and to enclose herewith a copy of letter No. SOR-III(S&GAD)2- 60/2024 dated 29.11.2024 received from the Section Officer (R-III), Regulations Wing, S&GAD, Punjab wherein it has informed as under:1) Rule 17-A has been omitted from the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment & Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974 after approval of the Provincial Cabinet Punjab / Chief Minister, vide notification dated 24.07.2024. The said notification has also been published in “The Punjab Gazette” on 26.07.2024. It was a policy decision of the Government. No appointment under Rule 17-A can be made w.e.f. 24.07.2024 (the date of approval of the Competent Authority) as the said rule no more exists now.ii) The August Supreme Court of Pakistan in a Civil Petition No. 3390 of 2021 titled General Post Office, Islamabad V/s Muhammad Jalal has already issued judgment dated 18.10.2024 through the Apex Court, inter alia, observed that:-The appointment of a widow/widower, wife/husband or child of a civil servant in different grades on contract or regular basis, without open advertisement, competition and merit is also violative of Article 18 of the Constitution which provides that subject to such qualification, if any, as may be prescribed by law, every citizen shall have the right to enter upon any lawful profession or occupation and to conduct any lawful trade or business.Whereunder appointments without open advertisement, competition and merit, of the widow/widower, wife/husband or child of civil servants in different grades, who die during service or become permanently disabled/invalidated/incapacitated for further service and take retirement from service, are declared to be discriminatory and ultra vires Articles 3,4, 5(2), 18, 25(1) and 27 of the Constitution. The prescribed Federal and Provincial authorities are directed to withdraw the same.iii) The Hon’ble Bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan in Civil Petition No. 288-P of 2015 [Government of KPK V/S Tahir Mushtaq and others] issued direction to KPK Government withdraw all the instructions/notifications with regard to provision of job under the quota, reserved for children of retiring civil servants on superannuation/invalidation. SECTION OFFICER (EM-II) Merit-Based Hiring: The Future of Civil Service Recruitment in Punjab: With the removal of Rule 17-A, Punjab has taken a firm stance on promoting meritocracy in government jobs. This decision, though controversial, is in line with the Supreme Court’s directive to eliminate preferential hiring practices. The government believes that transparent, competitive recruitment processes will ultimately strengthen the efficiency and credibility of civil service appointments. While this shift aims to create equal employment opportunities, it has raised concerns among affected families who relied on this policy for financial security. The move will likely spark further debate on whether alternate measures should be introduced to support the dependents of deceased or disabled civil servants. As Punjab transitions into a new era of government employment policies, the focus remains on ensuring that all recruitment processes uphold fairness, merit, and equal opportunities for every citizen. For more information, clarification or any other question feel free to join our WhatsApp Group. We are a supportive community where members are committed to assisting one another.

Notification / OM No. No.SOR-III(S&GAD)2-60/2024 Dated 14-November-2024 Notification Issued By: Regulations Wing, Services & General Administration Department, Government Of The Punjab End of Rule 17-A in Punjab Civil Service Appointments: Equality and Merit Ensured: The Government of Punjab, through the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD), has issued an important clarification regarding appointments under Rule 17-A of the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment & Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974. This clarification follows the Finance Department’s request for guidance on the matter. The Regulations Wing of S&GAD has thoroughly examined the issue, which pertains to the recent changes in the relevant legal framework. Specifically, Rule 17-A, which previously allowed for appointments of the widow/widower, wife/husband, or child of a deceased or permanently disabled civil servant, has been officially omitted from the Punjab Civil Servants Rules after approval from the Provincial Cabinet and the Chief Minister. This policy decision, which was implemented through a notification dated 24th July 2024 and published in “The Punjab Gazette,” signifies a significant shift in the provincial government’s approach to such appointments. The primary objective of this change is to ensure that all government appointments, including those under this specific provision, are made in accordance with principles of equality, merit, and open competition. The notification provides detailed legal and constitutional insights into the implications of this change, referring to a judgment by the Supreme Court of Pakistan that has set the legal precedence for these appointments. Notification Describes; No.SOR-III(S&GAD)2-60/2024GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJABSERVICES & GENERAL ADMINISTRATIONDEPARTMENT(REGULATIONS WING) Dated Lahore the 14th November, 2024 To The Secretary,Government of the Punjab,Finance Department. Subject :-       CLARIFICATION FOR APPOINTMENT UNDER RULE 17-A                               I am directed to refer to your department’s letter No. SO(B&E-II)0-14/2023-30799-29136 dated 31.10.2024 on the subject noted above. The Regulations Wing, S&GAD has examined the matter and it is observed that :- Since the August Supreme Court of Pakistan through the above said judgment already clarified that the instant judgment shall not affect the appointments already made of the widow/widower wife/husband or child of deceased or retired civil servants, hence, the appointment orders already issued before 24.07.2024 are fait-accompli and such matters need to be decided by the relevant Administrative Departments at their own level because in view of clear direction of Hon’ble Court, advice of Regulations Wing, S&GAD is warranted in such cases. Rule 17-A has been omitted from the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment & Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974 after approval of the Provincial Cabinet Punjab / Chief Minister, vide notification dated 24.07.2024. The said notification has also been published in “The Punjab Gazette” on 26.07.2024. It was a policy decision of the Government. No appointment under Rule 17-A can be made w.e.f. 24.07.2024 (the date of approval of the Competent Authority) as the said rule no more exists now. The August Supreme Court of Pakistan in a Civil Petition No. 3390 of 2021 titled General Post Office, Islamabad V/s Muhammad Jalal has already issued judgment dated 18.10.2024 through the Apex Court, inter alia, observed that :- The appointment of a widow/widower, wife/husband or child of a civil servant in different grades on contract or regular basis, without open advertisement, competition and merit is also violative of Artice 18 of the Constitution which provides that subject to such qualification, if any, as may be prescribed by law, every citizen shall have the right to enter upon any lawful profession or occupation and to conduct any lawful trade or business. Appointments obstructing ordinary qualified citizens to compete for entering into the profession of the service of Pakistan in accordance with their ability and eligibility also violate this fundamental right, and if such appointments are made they negate equality of opportunity, competition, merit and also defeat the object of good governance. Whereunder appointments without open advertisement, competition and merit, of the widow/widower, wile/husband or child of civil servants in different grades, who die during service or become permanently disabled/invalidated/incapacitated for further service and take retirement from service, are declared to be discriminatory and ultra vires Articles 3,4, 5(2), 18, 25(1) and 27 of the Constitution. The prescribed Federal and Provincial authorities are directed to withdraw the same. However, it is clarified that the instant judgment shall not affect the appointments already made of the widow/widower, wife/husband or child of deceased or retired civil servants. It is further clarified that this judgment shall not affect the policies, rules or compensation packages of the Federal and Provincial Governments for the benefit of the legal heirs of martyred personnel of the law enforcement agencies and of civil servants who die on account of terrorist activities. SECTION OFFICER (R-III) Conclusion: In light of the developments outlined in the notification, it is now clear that Rule 17-A, which allowed for specific appointments without open competition and advertisement, is no longer valid as of 24th July 2024. The decision to omit this rule aligns with the government’s commitment to upholding constitutional principles, including Article 18, which guarantees the right to enter any lawful profession or occupation based on merit and competition. This change aims to eliminate discriminatory practices and ensure that all citizens have equal access to government positions, based on their qualifications and ability. The Supreme Court’s ruling further reinforces this direction by declaring such appointments to be in violation of fundamental rights and promoting the principles of meritocracy. However, the judgment also clarifies that appointments made prior to the rule’s removal will not be affected, and these will remain valid. As a result, departments are now required to make decisions on such appointments based on their individual circumstances, following the clear guidance of the court. This shift represents a step toward improved governance and fairer opportunities for all citizens, ensuring that public service remains open and accessible to all qualified individuals. For more information, clarification or any other question feel free to join our WhatsApp Group. We are a supportive community where members are committed to assisting one another.