Govt ‘compulsorily retires’ Grade-20 PAS officer over prolonged absence

The federal government has compulsorily retired Grade-20 Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer Dr Anila Salman after she failed to return to duty following the expiry of her approved leave, according to an Establishment Division notification issued with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s approval.

The notification said that disciplinary proceedings against Salman were initiated on February 9, 2026, under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

Following an inquiry in which the charges were established, the prime minister, acting as the competent authority, imposed a major penalty of compulsory retirement with immediate effect.

The action followed Salman’s prolonged absence from service after the expiry of leave granted to her, according to the Establishment Division.

She had been living abroad on extraordinary leave without pay, and her leave was extended by a further nine months in October 2024.

After that period ended, Salman did not return to Pakistan, submit a joining report to the Establishment Division or resume her duties, the notification said.

According to reports, Salman first travelled to the United States (US) and later moved to Canada, after which she made no attempt to return to service.

The federal government has begun taking disciplinary action against officials who remain abroad after their approved leave expires or otherwise breach service rules.

Information available indicates that disciplinary inquiries against other officials are also under way.

Former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) member and retired Grade-21 officer Sharif Awan said that government employees were entitled to leave for purposes including education and medical needs, but unauthorised absence could result in disciplinary action.

He said the inquiry in Salman’s case appeared to have established unauthorised leave, resulting in a major penalty.

Under the 2020 rules, minor penalties are intended to discipline employees without ending their employment and can include censure, withholding increments or promotion and recovery of financial losses. Major penalties include demotion, compulsory retirement, dismissal and removal from service.

Awan said an officer with at least 25 years of service could be eligible for pension after compulsory retirement, subject to the complete service record.