Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday officially notified the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as the “special vetting agency” for the verification and screening of all civil servants prior to their induction into the service, important postings and appointments, and promotions.

“In exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 25 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973, read with notification No. SRO 120(I)/1998, dated Feb. 27, 1998, the prime minister is pleased to notify Directorate General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as a special vetting agency (SVA) for verification and screening of all public office holders (officers’ category) for induction, important postings/appointments, and promotions,” read a notification issued by the Establishment Division, referring to clauses of the Civil Servants Act that empower the prime minister to introduce rules for the civil bureaucracy.

The Intelligence Bureau and the Special Branch already have the responsibility to screen candidates for important appointments and promotions at the federal and provincial levels, respectively. While the government did not offer any further official comment on the development, sources claimed that this decision would help to lessen the perception of “corrupt” bureaucrats being elevated above their honest colleagues and improve the public’s confidence in public office holders.

The sources further claimed that while the ISI had been officially granted the authority to vet civil servants, the IB would also continue in its role unless notified otherwise.