A dignified Passing Out Ceremony of the 48th Specialized Training Program (STP) of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) was held at the Civil Services Academy, Upper Mall Campus, Lahore.
A total of 55 officers successfully completed the training program. The cohort included 30 officers from Punjab, 9 from Sindh, 5 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3 from Balochistan, and one each from FATA and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Additionally, 6 officers from the Gilgit-Baltistan Service, including 3 female officers, also successfully completed the training.
The training program focused on key areas including public governance, district administration, revenue management, financial management, and human rights. Specialized modules on modern governance, sustainable governance, and climate action were also part of the curriculum.
During the training, officers were provided hands-on experience through attachments with various government departments and institutions. Field attachments enabled them to closely observe district administration and service delivery mechanisms. Workshops on e-governance, cybersecurity, and modern administrative skills were also conducted. The graduating officers reaffirmed their commitment to serving the nation with dedication and integrity.
The ceremony was graced by the Rector National School of Public Policy and Director General Civil Services Academy, Dr. Farhan Aziz Khawaja, as the chief guest. Congratulating the graduating officers, he stated that choosing civil service is a decision of great responsibility, and officers must always carry the spirit of public service as their guiding principle. He further remarked that the Civil Services Academy continues to produce highly trained human resource for the nation, capable of playing a constructive and positive role in society and governance.
Dr Khawaja also distributed certificates and shields among officers who demonstrated outstanding performance in academic and co-curricular activities. Khansa Malik was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for overall best performance, while Adil Riaz received the award for best performance in academics.
Officers excelling in sports during the training were also awarded. In racket sports, Iftikhar Ali achieved distinction in Lawn Tennis (Men) and Squash (Men), while Zoopash Agha and Sehrish Rehmat excelled in the women’s category. In Table Tennis and Badminton, Muhammad Abdullah, Zahra Munir, Sabeeh Ahmed, and Khansa Malik showed outstanding performance.
In other sports categories, Muhammad Hasanat Aman was declared the best swimmer (Men), while Javeria Dar received the same title in the women’s category. Iftikhar Ali was declared the best all-round sportsman, while Khansa Malik earned the title of best all-round sportswoman. Iftikhar Ali also secured the award for best horse rider of the batch.
Officers were also recognized for exemplary conduct and character. 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.
At the group level, Syndicate Group IV was declared the best group for presenting an outstanding research study on “The gap between disaster management policy and practice,” led by Mah Rukh Malik. The “Social Protection” society was recognized as the best weekly society.
Academically, officers demonstrated exceptional performance across various subjects. Top position holders included Muhammad Owais Sultan (Public Governance), Asifa Saleem (Revenue Administration & Climate Action), Adil Riaz (Financial Management & Laws), Khansa Malik (Local Government & Sustainable Development), and Okasha Abrar Rana (Human Rights).
The ceremony was attended by Director PAS Dr. Faisal Zahoor, Director Administration Bilal Akram, Additional Director MCMC Nazia Jabeen, Additional Director PAS Usman Ali, and other officers. Senior PAS officer Saman Rai, Dr. Naveed Elahi from NSPP, and Faruq Adeel from NIPA also attended the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the event, graduating officers, the chief guest, and faculty members participated in a tree plantation drive, planting saplings to promote environmental sustainability.