Secretariat positions are limited to 400% of the members of the Assembly; current staff must comply within 18 months
national assembly. Photo: Archive
The National Assembly passed the NA Secretariat Employees (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces strict limits on staffing, regulates recruitment and formalizes recruitment procedures to avoid political interference.
Under the new law, the total number of positions in the Secretariat, both permanent and temporary, cannot exceed 400 percent of the Assembly members, and existing employees must reach this limit within 18 months after it comes into effect. Amendments require Finance Committee approval for the creation of new positions, enhancements or termination of any position, and all new positions must be officially notified in the bulletin.
Recruitment rules have been revised to ensure merit-based recruitment: posts in grade 15 and below will be filled on the recommendation of the Departmental Selection Committee and through open advertisements, while posts in grade 16 and above will follow the recommendations of the Federal Public Service Commission. If the FPSC does not advertise within six months, departmental selection may be resorted to. The federal quota system will continue to apply to all appointments.
The appointments of the deputations are also redefined, with a maximum duration of five years and without the possibility of permanent absorption in the Secretariat. Officers appointed in grade 20 and below will receive allowances based on the latest pay certificate from their parent department.
The bill introduces important legal and structural changes: Secretariat employees are now formally designated as “National Assembly Secretariat Employees,” references to “Ministry” or “Division” are replaced by “National Assembly Secretariat,” and references to “President” or “Prime Minister” are replaced by “President.” The position of “Secretary” is legally defined as “Secretary of the Secretariat of the National Assembly”.
Several sections of the 2018 Act are proposed to be repealed, including sections 8, 9, 10, 12 to 24, 26, 28 and 29. A new section 31 ensures that this law will prevail over any conflicting legislation. President Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized that the reforms aim to reduce unnecessary posts, improve administrative efficiency and ensure transparency and accountability in staffing within the National Assembly Secretariat.
