Civil servants face strict rules on foreign scholarships

The Establishment Division has introduced stricter mandatory requirements for civil servants returning from foreign and domestic educational programmes, scholarships and deputation, making degree verification, timely reporting for duty and financial guarantees key conditions for compliance.

Under the newly issued standard operating procedures (SOPs), the government has made it clear that foreign training and educational programmes funded by public money will no longer be treated as an indefinite period of leave. Officials who violate the prescribed rules may face strict employment-related and financial consequences.

The new measures aim to address delays in submitting academic qualifications after officials return from universities abroad or complete educational programmes within Pakistan. In the past, some civil servants reportedly failed to submit their final degrees within the required timeframe after completing their studies.

According to the new circular, officers returning from study leave or foreign scholarships must submit an attested copy of their degree certificate or an official academic transcript along with their joining report. An officer who fails to provide the required documents without a valid and verifiable reason will formally be considered absent from duty.

Where a foreign university has delayed issuing a formal degree, the officer must provide verifiable documents from the relevant educational institution. These documents must confirm satisfactory academic performance and explain the reason for the delay.

Officials will not be permitted to resume duty without the required supporting documents. Once the documents have been submitted, the degree and joining report will immediately be forwarded to the Establishment Division’s Training Wing to ensure that official records remain updated and properly maintained.

The federal government has also introduced stricter financial monitoring for scholarships and professional training programmes funded by public money. The measures are intended to prevent officials from leaving government service or resigning before completing the mandatory service period attached to their training or scholarship arrangements.

Under the revised procedure, the Training Wing will be required to provide the Executive Wing with a consolidated statement of financial liabilities for every officer who signs a surety bond.

The statement will include the original cost of the scholarship, training expenses and all other payments made to the officer that may be recoverable under the applicable rules. It will also specify the mandatory period during which the officer must serve the government after returning from training or completing an educational programme.

The document will clearly outline the conditions under which a surety bond may be considered violated, including an unauthorised resignation or abandonment of government service. It will also specify the exact amount of the financial penalty recoverable from the officer in such circumstances.

The statement of financial liabilities will become a key part of the officer’s personal service record. It must be presented to the competent authorities whenever an administrative decision concerning the officer’s employment or service conditions is considered.

The Establishment Division has further clarified that submitting a request for an extension of approved leave, study leave or deputation will not automatically justify continued absence from duty.

Civil servants will be required to report back to their posts as soon as their approved period ends, even if a request for an extension is still awaiting approval. Failure to submit a joining report may result in the officer being treated as absent without authorisation.

Such cases may also be referred to senior officials for appropriate directions.

Through the revised SOPs, the government aims to strengthen accountability, improve the monitoring of publicly funded educational and training programmes, and ensure that civil servants fulfil their service obligations after receiving government-funded professional development opportunities.