Under the leadership of Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan, the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has given its approval to the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill. This legislative step makes it compulsory for all civil servants holding Grade-17 positions and higher to declare their assets.
As per the provisions of the bill, senior civil servants will now be obligated to disclose not only their personal assets but also those belonging to their spouses and financially dependent children. This declaration must encompass both foreign assets and liabilities.
The detailed asset information will be submitted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The FBR will be granted the authority to make this information public, while simultaneously ensuring a balance between the public interest and the protection of individual privacy.
Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that mandate the protection of sensitive personal information, such as national identity card numbers, residential addresses, and bank account details.
Cabinet officials confirmed that upon the bill’s enactment into law, civil servants will be legally bound to disclose their assets. The Establishment Division added that comprehensive consultations with the FBR were conducted prior to finalizing the draft legislation.
“This is a good piece of legislation,” commented Senator Farooq H. Naek, a member of the committee. Senator Anusha Rehman from PML-N also endorsed the bill, pledging her full support.
