ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has issued a stern warning to its officers regarding the practice of using external influence for securing extensions in posting tenure or leave at Pakistan missions abroad.
The ministry’s displeasure, conveyed through a circular dated October 21, 2025, noted that a number of officers have been attempting to bring “extraneous influence upon higher offices” for these service matters.
The Foreign Ministry reminded its staff that attempting to secure favorable service outcomes through external pressure is a clear violation of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
Such actions are explicitly classified as “Misconduct” under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
Any officer found attempting to bring in extraneous influence, particularly for extensions in posting tenure or leave at missions abroad, is liable to be proceeded against under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The officer faces the imposition of one or more penalties as stipulated in the aforementioned rules, according to the circular available with The News.
The circular, signed by Additional Secretary (Administration) Muhammad Khalid Jamali, also informed officers that any such requests seeking external influence will not be entertained.
Crucially, a note regarding such attempts will be placed in the dossier of officers involved.
