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The federal government has introduced a comprehensive new code of conduct for civil servants, replacing the 62-year-old framework with stricter rules on asset disclosures, conflicts of interest, social media activity and financial accountability.

According to a comparison between the repealed 1964 Rules and the Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules, 2026, shared by official sources, the new framework retains the core principles of the earlier code, including restrictions on political activity, unauthorised disclosure of official information, nepotism and misuse of official position. However, it also introduces far-reaching accountability measures aimed at meeting the demands of modern-day governance.

One of the most significant changes is the requirement that annual asset declarations of officers in BPS-17 and above be made public after redaction of confidential personal information. Under the 1964 rules, asset declarations were filed internally and remained confidential.

The 2026 rules require senior officers to submit their declarations digitally by October 30 every year. These declarations will be subject to risk-based verification by the Federal Board of Revenue. Officers may also be asked to explain omissions, misstatements or unexplained increases in wealth.

For the first time, civil servants will be required to disclose virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies. They must also declare bank accounts, shares, securities, insurance policies and jewellery worth Rs5 million or more.

The new rules also introduce a comprehensive conflict-of-interest regime. Civil servants are required to disclose personal or family interests that may conflict with their official duties. They must also recuse themselves from procurement, selection and other decision-making processes where such conflicts arise.

Another major area covered by the new code is social media and online activity, which was not addressed in the 1964 framework. Civil servants may not own or manage websites, podcasts, blogs, YouTube channels or similar platforms without prior approval.

They are also prohibited from using personal social media accounts to showcase official work, facilities or entitlements for personal publicity or image-building. Cadre Administrators may require officers to disclose all their social media accounts.

The government has also tightened rules on gifts and hospitality. Civil servants and their family members are barred from accepting gifts from any person, company, foreign government or diplomat, except as permitted under the Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Act, 2024. They are also prohibited from offering gifts to superior officers if such gifts could be seen as attempts to obtain favours.

The new code states that civil servants should not live beyond their declared means. Officers may be required to explain expenditures on weddings and other social functions if such spending appears extravagant or inconsistent with their disclosed income.

In another new provision, officers who take private-sector jobs during sanctioned Extraordinary Leave must obtain prior approval. After returning to government service, they must refrain for three years from participating in any official matter involving their former employer.

The rules also allow officers to undertake approved teaching, consultancy and professional work, provided it does not affect official duties or create conflicts of interest. In such cases, one-twenty-fifth of the remuneration earned must be deposited in the national treasury.

Among other new provisions, civil servants must immediately report any criminal case or arrest to their Cadre Administrator. They are prohibited from filing frivolous complaints against colleagues and may not approach foreign missions or donor agencies to seek overseas visits or training opportunities for personal benefit.

The federal government has also empowered itself to extend the new rules to autonomous bodies, regulatory authorities, universities and state-owned enterprises.

Any violation of the Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules, 2026, will be treated as misconduct under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, exposing violators to disciplinary action.

Officials say the new framework represents the most significant modernisation of Pakistan’s civil service ethics regime in more than six decades. They say it shifts the focus from traditional conduct standards to a stronger system of transparency, financial scrutiny and digital accountability.

Islamabad: A judicial magistrate has acquitted former National Assembly member Faheem Khan, former Provincial Assembly member Raja Azhar, and four other leaders in connection with the May 9 arson and protest cases due to lack of evidence.

The decision was announced by the Eastern Judicial Magistrate after considering the applications of the accused. The prosecution failed to prove the charges against the PTI leaders, leading to their acquittal.

Along with Faheem Khan and Raja Azhar, the court also acquitted Shahnawaz Jadun and Shehzad. The accused were represented in court by lawyers Iqrar Islam and Saima Iqrar.

According to police, the accused had faced allegations of participating in arson and protests, including damaging an armored vehicle, during the arrest of the founder of PTI.

Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan announced that the mobile phone of arrested drug trafficker Anmol, also known as Pinky, contained 835 contact numbers, including 300 active customer contacts and links to members of an international gang.

Speaking at a press conference held at Mohammad Ali Auditorium in the Central Police Office alongside senior police officials, Chief Azad Khan provided details of the investigation.

He said that on the morning of May 12, the District City Police and federal sensitive agencies conducted an intelligence-based operation and arrested the highly wanted suspect Anmol Pinky. During the raid, police recovered 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, seven kilograms of various narcotic chemicals, and a 9mm pistol from her flat. A case was registered at Garden Police Station.

According to Azad Khan, the suspect was presented in court on the same day, but due to police negligence, her remand could not be secured and she was placed in jail custody. Three officers found responsible for the negligence were immediately suspended, and new teams were formed to continue the investigation.

A team led by SP Investigations and SIU officers was assigned. Additionally, a DIG West was appointed as inquiry officer to identify those responsible for SOP violations in court and take further legal action.

Chief Khan said that under the supervision of DIG South, a team including two SSPs was formed, which successfully obtained a three-day remand for the suspect. During these three days, police gathered significant investigative details.

He added that due to the large scale of the case, IG Sindh formed a special team under his supervision, including DIG Crime & Investigation Aamir Farooqi, DIG Special Branch Shiraz Nazir, and DIG CTD Azfar Mahesar, to ensure a thorough investigation.

Investigations revealed that the suspect has 20 cases registered in Sindh, including 17 old cases and 3 new ones, one case with ANF, and three cases registered in Lahore. Of these, 9 cases have already led to arrests, six old cases have been closed, three cases still list the suspect as wanted, and in the ANF case she remains absconding.

Azad Khan further explained that besides these 17 cases, 9 separate cases linked to her network (the “riders”) exist, in which her name does not appear. The suspect has been active in the drug trade since 2014, and in Karachi since 2018, operating primarily online.

He added that the suspect would relocate to Lahore when on police radar in Karachi to continue her activities.

Forensic analysis of her mobile phone by CTD revealed 869 contact numbers, with police having successfully obtained the location of 639 numbers, of which only 132 were in Karachi. The remaining 240 numbers’ locations are still being traced.

The Cabinet Division has released the Toshakhana records for the first quarter of 2026, covering January to March, detailing gifts received by senior government officials and ministers.

According to the report, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the Chairman of the Senate, the Chairman of NAB, and several federal ministers were among the recipients of valuable gifts.

The Toshakhana record also lists IT Minister Shiza Fatima, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, and Attaullah Tarar as officials who received gifts during this period.

Official documents confirm that all received gifts have been deposited in the Toshakhana; however, the names of the gift-givers have not been disclosed in the released records.