The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Pakistan to broaden its asset declaration framework by including officials appointed under the Special Pay Scale (SPS) system, in addition to regular government employees. This move, according to sources cited by ProPakistani, aims to strengthen accountability and transparency across the public sector—a key demand often raised by international financial institutions during policy discussions and reform negotiations.
Expanding the Scope of Asset Declarations
Currently, Pakistan’s asset declaration laws apply primarily to regular civil servants, requiring them to disclose their wealth, properties, and financial interests. However, individuals appointed under the Special Pay Scale—such as project directors, legal advisors, technical experts, and consultants—have so far operated outside this framework.
The IMF’s latest recommendation pushes for these SPS officials, who often handle large-scale government projects and development initiatives, to be subjected to the same disclosure obligations. According to sources, the federal government is preparing a comprehensive plan to include SPS employees from both federal and provincial departments within the national asset declaration regime. The measure will help ensure that all officials in positions of financial or administrative authority are held to equal standards of integrity.
Ensuring Compliance and Building Public Trust
The government reportedly plans to implement the reform in two phases. The first phase focuses on strengthening the existing asset declaration mechanism for regular civil servants, while the second phase will formally incorporate SPS officials. A robust monitoring and verification mechanism is also expected to be developed to ensure compliance and accuracy of the declared assets.
The IMF’s proposal forms part of a broader strategy to promote fiscal discipline, curb corruption, and rebuild public trust in Pakistan’s governance institutions. By extending these transparency measures to SPS employees, Pakistan would not only meet international expectations but also take a crucial step toward cleaner and more accountable public administration.
