Punjab Cabinet Approves Amendment to Recruitment Policy, Lump Sum Hiring Now Subject to Approval

Lahore: The Punjab government has approved a significant amendment to its policy regarding the ban on public sector recruitments. Under the revised policy, appointments made on a lump sum pay package will now require prior approval from the provincial cabinet.

Sources said the Chief Minister of Punjab has transferred recruitment-related powers, previously exercised by the chief minister and bureaucracy, to the provincial cabinet. The amendment was prepared in consultation with the Finance and Services wings and presented before the cabinet on the chief minister’s directive. The cabinet unanimously approved the changes.

It is noteworthy that under an order issued on July 29, 2022, a complete ban had been imposed on government recruitments. However, posts related to development projects were already exempt from the restriction. Similarly, constitutional and legal appointments, as well as recruitments made through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), remained exempt.

Previously, relaxation cases for BS-5 and above posts were reviewed by the Services & General Administration Department and Finance Department, while the chief minister had the authority to grant relaxation for BS-1 to BS-4 recruitments. The earlier circular did not clearly mention appointments under lump sum pay packages.

On the recommendation of the Regulations Wing, a new clause has now been added to the circular. As a result, direct hiring on a lump sum pay package will no longer be possible without individual case approval from the provincial cabinet.