LAHORE: The 48th Specialised Training Programme (STP) of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) culminated in a dignified passing-out ceremony at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), Upper Mall Campus, where 55 officers formally entered the next phase of their professional careers with a strong emphasis on public service, integrity and adaptive governance.
The graduating batch represented a diverse national composition, including 30 officers from Punjab, nine from Sindh, five from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three from Balochistan, and one each from the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, six officers from the Gilgit-Baltistan Service among them three women also successfully completed the programme, reflecting increasing regional inclusion in elite administrative training.
The STP, a critical phase in the grooming of PAS officers, offered a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare officers for complex governance challenges.
Rector National School of Public Policy and Director General CSA Dr Farhan Aziz Khawaja was chief guest at the ceremony. Addressing the graduating officers, he underscored the gravity of their responsibilities and urged them to remain steadfast in their commitment to public service.
Describing the transition from training to field as “the beginning of the baptism of fire”, Dr Khawaja said the officers were entering service at a critical juncture in the country’s trajectory, where governance challenges were becoming increasingly complex and demanded both competence and character.
Following the address, he distributed certificates and shields among officers who excelled in various domains. Khansa Malik secured the President’s Gold Medal for overall best performance, emerging as the most distinguished officer of the batch, while Adil Riaz was awarded for best performance in academics.
The ceremony also recognised excellence beyond academics, particularly in sports and co-curricular activities. In racket sports, Iftikhar Ali demonstrated exceptional performance in lawn tennis and squash in the men’s category, while Zoopash Agha and Sehrish Rehmat stood out among women participants. In table tennis and badminton, Muhammad Abdullah, Zahra Munir, Sabeeh Ahmed and Khansa Malik delivered notable performances.
In aquatic sports, Muhammad Hasanat Aman was declared best swimmer among men, while Javeria Dar received the same distinction in the women’s category. Iftikhar Ali was adjudged the best all-round sportsman of the batch and also earned the title of best horse rider, whereas Khansa Malik was declared best all round sportswoman.
Recognising character and discipline, certificates for best conduct were awarded to ten officers, including Adil Riaz, Kainat, Mah Rukh Malik, Mehwish Irshad, Muhammad Hasanat Aman, Mujahid Waseem Durrani, Sana Ejaz, Sana Shafqat, Teerath Kumar and Zoopash Agha. A special award for exemplary conduct was conferred upon Javeria Dar.
Group performance was also acknowledged, with Syndicate Group IV declared the best group for its research study on “the gap between disaster management policy and practice”, led by Mah Rukh Malik. The “Social Protection” society earned recognition as the best weekly society for its consistent engagement and contributions.
Academic distinctions across subjects highlighted the intellectual rigour of the programme. Muhammad Owais Sultan secured top position in public governance, Asifa Saleem in revenue administration and climate action, Adil Riaz in financial management and laws, Khansa Malik in local government and sustainable development, and Okasha Abrar Rana in human rights.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials and faculty members, including Director PAS Dr Faisal Zahoor, Director Administration Bilal Akram, Additional Director MCMC Nazia Jabeen and Additional Director PAS Usman Ali. Senior PAS officer Saman Rai, Dr Naveed Elahi from the National School of Public Policy and Faruq Adeel from the National Institute of Public Administration were also present.
