19/09/2026
Something for Engineering profession in civil services reforms;
*Proposal for the Creation of a Separate Pakistan Engineering Service*
It is proposed that a separate professional cadre, namely Pakistan Engineering Service (PES) or Engineering Service of Pakistan (ESP), be established within the Federal Government, which may subsequently be adopted by the Provincial Governments.
A number of Federal Ministries and Divisions have major responsibilities involving engineering, infrastructure, energy, communications, transportation, defence production, science and technology, housing and works, aviation, and planning and development. These sectors require strong technical expertise and professional engineering leadership.
Pakistan has historically had dedicated engineering services, including the Pakistan Service of Engineers and Central Engineering Service. The administrative reforms of 1973 fundamentally reorganized the civil-service structure and affected the earlier service and cadre arrangements. Therefore, the historical existence of engineering services before the 1973 reforms is well supported, although their subsequent institutional changes were part of broader administrative reforms rather than simply being due to “unknown reasons.”
The idea of a dedicated engineering service has also been considered in subsequent government reform efforts. The National Commission for Government Reforms (2008) specifically proposed a Pakistan Engineering Service, demonstrating that the concept has been considered at the official policy level.
The principle of “Right Person for the Right Job” is particularly relevant to technically specialized government functions. A dedicated engineering service could provide professional engineers with a structured career path and strengthen technical capacity in planning, design, ex*****on, operation, maintenance, regulation and management of national infrastructure and engineering projects.
Such a service could also help retain technical talent by providing professional career opportunities within the public sector and enable engineers to contribute more effectively to national development.
The experience of countries where professional engineers play significant roles in the leadership and management of engineering organizations may also provide useful lessons for Pakistan.
Therefore, the establishment of a dedicated Pakistan Engineering Service may be considered as part of broader civil-service and institutional reforms, with appropriate merit-based recruitment, professional development, accountability and clearly defined responsibilities.
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