Understanding Pakistan's Pay Scale Systems
Pakistan's government sector operates under various pay scale systems designed to standardize salaries across different departments and provinces. Each system has its own structure, grade levels, and salary ranges.
This comprehensive guide covers all major pay scale systems including BPS, PPS, OG, TTS, and NPS used in federal and provincial government organizations.
BPS - Basic Pay Scale (Federal)
Overview
The Basic Pay Scale (BPS) is the primary salary structure used by the Federal Government of Pakistan. It ranges from Grade 1 to Grade 22 and is applicable to all federal government employees.
- Introduced: 1973 (after 1973 Constitution)
- Grades: BPS 1 to BPS 22
- Application: Federal government departments
- Last Revision: 2024 (Budget announcements)
| BPS Grade | Minimum Salary | Maximum Salary | Common Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPS-1 | PKR 32,000 | PKR 35,000 | Naib Qasid, Chowkidar, Sweeper |
| BPS-2 | PKR 33,000 | PKR 36,500 | Peon, Mali, Helper |
| BPS-5 | PKR 50,000 | PKR 58,000 | Junior Clerk, Data Entry Operator |
| BPS-9 | PKR 72,000 | PKR 82,000 | Clerk, Stenotypist |
| BPS-11 | PKR 90,000 | PKR 105,000 | Assistant, Junior Auditor |
| BPS-14 | PKR 125,000 | PKR 145,000 | Sub-Inspector, Section Officer |
| BPS-16 | PKR 160,000 | PKR 190,000 | Inspector, Superintendent |
| BPS-17 | PKR 195,000 | PKR 235,000 | Assistant Director, Accounts Officer |
| BPS-18 | PKR 240,000 | PKR 295,000 | Deputy Director, Deputy Secretary |
| BPS-19 | PKR 300,000 | PKR 370,000 | Joint Secretary, Additional Director |
| BPS-20 | PKR 375,000 | PKR 460,000 | Director, Deputy Secretary |
| BPS-21 | PKR 465,000 | PKR 575,000 | Additional Secretary, Chief Engineer |
| BPS-22 | PKR 580,000 | PKR 700,000+ | Secretary, Head of Department |
PPS - Provincial Pay Scale
Overview
Provincial Pay Scale (PPS) is used by provincial governments (Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan) for their employees. While similar to BPS, each province has minor variations.
- Structure: Similar to BPS (Grade 1-22)
- Application: Provincial government employees
- Variation: Each province has slight differences
- Coordination: Generally aligned with federal BPS
Punjab Pay Scale (PPS)
- Follows federal BPS structure closely
- Additional provincial allowances
- PPS-1 to PPS-22 grades
- Managed by Finance Department Punjab
- Annual increments: 3-5%
Sindh Pay Scale
- Aligned with federal BPS
- City-specific allowances (Karachi premium)
- Grade 1-22 structure
- Finance Department Sindh oversight
- Periodic revisions with federal budget
KPK Pay Scale
- Similar structure to federal BPS
- Tribal area additional allowances
- Grade 1-22 applicable
- Provincial budget-based revisions
- Hardship allowances in certain areas
Balochistan Pay Scale
- Follows federal BPS framework
- Remote area allowances
- Grade 1-22 structure
- Additional benefits for difficult postings
- Annual budget-based increments
OG - Officer Grade (Banking & Autonomous Bodies)
Overview
Officer Grade (OG) system is primarily used in banking institutions (State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank) and autonomous government bodies. It has a different structure from BPS.
- Structure: OG-I to OG-V (5 grades)
- Application: Banks, autonomous bodies, corporations
- Hierarchy: From junior officers to senior management
- Benefits: Enhanced compared to regular BPS
| Officer Grade | Equivalent BPS | Salary Range (PKR) | Common Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| OG-I | BPS 17-18 | 180,000 - 250,000 | Assistant Vice President, Officer Grade-I |
| OG-II | BPS 18-19 | 250,000 - 350,000 | Vice President, Senior Officer |
| OG-III | BPS 19-20 | 350,000 - 480,000 | Senior Vice President, Principal |
| OG-IV | BPS 20-21 | 480,000 - 650,000 | Executive Vice President, General Manager |
| OG-V | BPS 21-22 | 650,000 - 900,000 | Senior Executive VP, Deputy Governor |
Organizations Using OG Scale
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
National Bank of Pakistan (NBP)
Pakistan Banking Council
Securities & Exchange Commission
Key Differences from BPS
Higher salary packages
Performance-based increments
Enhanced allowances & benefits
Specialized banking perks
TTS - Tenure Track System (Universities)
Overview
The Tenure Track System (TTS) was introduced by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for university faculty. It provides a performance-based career progression system.
- Introduced: 2005 by HEC
- Application: Public sector universities
- Structure: Lecturer to Professor
- Review: Performance-based tenure decisions
| TTS Position | Equivalent BPS | Salary Range (PKR) | Tenure Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecturer (TTS) | BPS 18 | 120,000 - 180,000 | 6 years probation |
| Assistant Professor (TTS) | BPS 19 | 180,000 - 250,000 | 5 years tenure track |
| Associate Professor (TTS) | BPS 20 | 250,000 - 350,000 | Tenured position |
| Professor (TTS) | BPS 21 | 350,000 - 500,000 | Tenured position |
| Meritorious Professor | Above BPS 21 | 500,000 - 700,000 | Distinguished tenure |
TTS Key Features
- Performance-based progression (publications, research)
- Research allowances and grants
- International conference support
- PhD supervision incentives
- Academic freedom and tenure security
- Enhanced research facilities
NPS - National Pay Scale (Proposed)
Overview
The National Pay Scale (NPS) was proposed to unify all government pay structures across federal and provincial levels. While not fully implemented, it represents future reforms.
- Status: Proposed/Under Discussion
- Objective: Unified pay structure nationwide
- Scope: Federal and all provincial governments
- Goal: Eliminate provincial disparities
Proposed Benefits
- Standardization across provinces
- Equal pay for equal work
- Simplified salary administration
- Transparent increment system
- Reduced regional disparities
Implementation Challenges
- Provincial autonomy concerns
- Budget allocation differences
- Cost of living variations
- Administrative restructuring needed
- Political consensus required
Special Pay Scales & Allowances
Military Pay Scale
Structure: Rank-based system
Grades: Sepoy to General
Additional: Military Service Pay
Benefits: Housing, rations, medical
Judicial Pay Scale
Positions: Civil Judge to Chief Justice
Structure: Separate judicial scale
Range: Higher than equivalent BPS
Benefits: Enhanced allowances
Medical Pay Scale
Structure: BPS + Medical Allowance
Positions: Medical Officer to MS
Additional: Private practice allowed
Special: Risk allowances
Engineering Pay Scale
Departments: PWD, WAPDA, etc.
Structure: BPS + Technical Pay
Positions: AE to Chief Engineer
Benefits: Technical allowances
Pay Scale Comparison Chart
| Entry Level | BPS | PPS (Provincial) | OG (Banking) | TTS (University) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Position | BPS-17 PKR 195,000 |
PPS-17 PKR 190,000 |
OG-I PKR 220,000 |
Lecturer PKR 150,000 |
| Mid Career | BPS-19 PKR 335,000 |
PPS-19 PKR 330,000 |
OG-III PKR 415,000 |
Assoc. Prof PKR 300,000 |
| Senior Level | BPS-21 PKR 520,000 |
PPS-21 PKR 515,000 |
OG-V PKR 775,000 |
Professor PKR 425,000 |
| Top Level | BPS-22 PKR 640,000 |
PPS-22 PKR 635,000 |
OG-V+ PKR 900,000 |
Meritorious PKR 600,000 |
Understanding the Differences
Federal vs Provincial
BPS is used by federal government while PPS is used by provincial governments. Salaries are nearly identical with minor provincial variations for cost of living adjustments.
Regular vs Specialized
OG scale offers 20-30% higher salaries than equivalent BPS grades. Used primarily in banking and financial institutions with enhanced benefits.
Administrative vs Academic
TTS is performance-based with research requirements. Offers academic freedom and tenure but may have lower initial salaries than equivalent BPS administrative positions.
Annual Increments & Pay Revisions
BPS Annual Increments
Regular Increment: 3% per annum
Selection Grade: Additional 20% at specific career points
Time Scale: 5% increment after 5 years in same grade
Last Revision: July 2024 (15% ad-hoc relief)
Pay Revision History
2024: 15% ad-hoc relief allowance
2023: 35% increase in basic pay
2022: 15% disparity reduction allowance
2021: 10% ad-hoc relief
Performance-Based Increments
Excellent ACR: One additional increment
Award Increment: Special increments for outstanding service
Fast Track: Early promotion for exceptional performers
Stagnation Increment: Additional increment after 15 years
Provincial Variations
Punjab: Follows federal increment policy
Sindh: Additional 2% increment for Karachi posting
KPK: Tribal area posting: extra 5% increment
Balochistan: Remote area: extra 3-7% increment
Allowances & Benefits Breakdown
BPS-Based Allowances (Percentage of Basic Pay)
| Allowance Type | BPS 1-4 | BPS 5-15 | BPS 16-19 | BPS 20-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 30% | 45% | 45% | 30% (Govt House) |
| Conveyance Allowance | PKR 3,000 | PKR 6,500 | PKR 9,500 | Official Vehicle |
| Medical Allowance | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Utility Allowance | - | - | 7% | 10% |
| Orderly Allowance | - | - | - | PKR 15,000 |
| Entertainment Allowance | - | - | - | PKR 25,000 |
Additional Benefits by Pay Scale
BPS 1-10
- General Provident Fund (GPF)
- Group Insurance (Death grant)
- Leave encashment facility
- Children education allowance
- Annual leave: 30 days
- Medical facility for family
BPS 11-16
- All BPS 1-10 benefits
- Higher medical facility limit
- Pick & drop facility (some depts)
- Special duty allowance
- Cash for LTC (Leave Travel Concession)
- Mobile/telephone allowance
BPS 17-19
- All previous benefits
- Official car facility (some depts)
- Residential accommodation
- Landline + mobile allowance
- Foreign training opportunities
- Leave fare assistance
BPS 20-22
- All previous benefits
- Official vehicle with driver & fuel
- Government accommodation (Grade 1)
- Protocol & security
- Personal staff/orderly
- Diplomatic passport eligibility
Pension & Retirement Benefits
Pension Calculation Formula
Government employees retiring after completing qualifying service are entitled to pension calculated as:
Monthly Pension = (Last Basic Pay × Qualifying Service) ÷ 70
Maximum Pension: 70% of last basic pay (after 30 years of service)
Minimum Pension: PKR 12,000 per month (2026 rates)
Qualifying Service: Minimum 10 years for pension eligibility
Pension Examples by BPS Grade
| Last BPS Grade | Last Basic Pay | Service Years | Monthly Pension | Annual Pension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPS-16 | PKR 190,000 | 25 years | PKR 67,857 | PKR 814,284 |
| BPS-17 | PKR 235,000 | 28 years | PKR 94,000 | PKR 1,128,000 |
| BPS-18 | PKR 295,000 | 30 years | PKR 126,429 | PKR 1,517,148 |
| BPS-19 | PKR 370,000 | 30 years | PKR 158,571 | PKR 1,902,852 |
| BPS-20 | PKR 460,000 | 30 years | PKR 197,143 | PKR 2,365,716 |
| BPS-21 | PKR 575,000 | 30 years | PKR 246,429 | PKR 2,957,148 |
| BPS-22 | PKR 700,000 | 30 years | PKR 300,000 | PKR 3,600,000 |
Additional Retirement Benefits
Commutation: Up to 35% of pension as lump sum
Gratuity: One month's pay per completed year
GP Fund: Full GPF with interest on retirement
Leave Encashment: Up to 365 days encashable
Family Pension
Spouse: 75% of employee's pension
Lifelong: Continues until spouse remarries
Children: 25% each for unmarried daughters
Parents: Pension if no spouse/children
Medical Coverage
Lifetime: Free medical treatment continues
Family: Spouse and eligible children covered
Hospitals: Government hospitals nationwide
Emergency: Reimbursement for private treatment
Pension Increases
Annual: Same % as serving employees
2024: 15% increase granted
2023: 17.5% increase
Indexation: Linked to inflation rates
Career Progression & Promotion Timeline
Entry Level (0-3 years)
BPS 11-14: Initial posting after CSS, FPSC, PPSC exam
Focus: Learning departmental procedures, probation period completion
Salary Range: PKR 90,000 - 145,000
Early Career (3-8 years)
BPS 16: Promotion after 3-5 years of service
Focus: Field experience, training courses, ACR improvement
Salary Range: PKR 160,000 - 190,000
Mid Career (8-15 years)
BPS 17-18: Section Officer to Deputy Secretary level
Focus: Administrative responsibilities, policy formulation
Salary Range: PKR 195,000 - 295,000
Senior Career (15-25 years)
BPS 19-20: Joint Secretary to Director level
Focus: Strategic planning, senior management, policy decisions
Salary Range: PKR 300,000 - 460,000
Executive Level (25-30 years)
BPS 21-22: Additional Secretary to Federal Secretary
Focus: Ministry management, inter-governmental coordination
Salary Range: PKR 465,000 - 700,000+
District & Hardship Allowances
City Classification Allowances
| City Category | Cities | HRA % (BPS 1-15) | HRA % (BPS 16-22) | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore | 45% | 45% | Metro transport allowance |
| Category B | Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad | 40% | 40% | Urban allowance |
| Category C | Sialkot, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Sukkur, Abbottabad | 35% | 35% | Small city allowance |
| Category D | District headquarters (other cities) | 30% | 30% | Standard rate |
| Rural Areas | Tehsil/Taluka headquarters | 25% | 25% | Rural posting incentive |
Hardship Allowances
FATA/Tribal Areas: 25% of basic pay
Balochistan Remote: 15-20% additional
Northern Areas: 10-15% extra
Border Postings: 12% special allowance
Special Area Incentives
Gilgit-Baltistan: 20% additional pay
Azad Kashmir: 15% special allowance
Coastal Areas: 8% marine allowance
Desert Regions: 10% climate allowance
Deputation Allowances
Foreign Posting: USD equivalent + perks
UN Missions: International pay scale
International Orgs: Tax-free allowances
Embassy Posting: 50-100% extra
Technical Allowances
IT Professionals: 40% tech allowance
Engineers: 25-35% additional
Doctors: 25% medical allowance
Teachers: 20% academic allowance
Complete Salary Calculation Examples
Example 1: BPS-17 Officer (Islamabad)
Basic Pay: PKR 220,000
House Rent (45%): PKR 99,000
Conveyance: PKR 9,500
Medical (10%): PKR 22,000
Adhoc Relief (15%): PKR 33,000
Gross Salary: PKR 383,500
GPF Deduction (8%): - PKR 17,600
Income Tax: - PKR 15,000
Net Take Home: PKR 350,900
Example 2: BPS-19 Director (Karachi)
Basic Pay: PKR 335,000
House Rent (45%): PKR 150,750
Conveyance: PKR 9,500
Medical (10%): PKR 33,500
Utility (7%): PKR 23,450
Adhoc Relief (15%): PKR 50,250
Gross Salary: PKR 602,450
GPF Deduction (8%): - PKR 26,800
Income Tax: - PKR 42,000
Net Take Home: PKR 533,650
Example 3: BPS-11 Assistant (Quetta - Hardship Area)
Basic Pay: PKR 97,500
House Rent (40%): PKR 39,000
Conveyance: PKR 6,500
Medical (10%): PKR 9,750
Hardship (15%): PKR 14,625
Adhoc Relief (15%): PKR 14,625
Gross Salary: PKR 182,000
GPF Deduction (8%): - PKR 7,800
Income Tax: - PKR 2,500
Net Take Home: PKR 171,700
Example 4: BPS-22 Federal Secretary
Basic Pay: PKR 640,000
House Rent (Govt House): PKR 0
Vehicle (Official): PKR 0
Medical (10%): PKR 64,000
Utility (10%): PKR 64,000
Entertainment: PKR 25,000
Orderly: PKR 15,000
Adhoc Relief (15%): PKR 96,000
Gross Salary: PKR 904,000
GPF Deduction (8%): - PKR 51,200
Income Tax: - PKR 125,000
Net Take Home: PKR 727,800
Plus: Official residence, vehicle, staff, protocol
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I switch between different pay scale systems?
A: Generally no. However, lateral movement is possible through specific procedures. For example, a BPS officer can join banking (OG scale) through open competition, or a university professor can join civil services through CSS exam. Inter-provincial transfers maintain equivalent pay scales.
Q: Which pay scale system offers the best long-term benefits?
A: BPS offers the most comprehensive pension and retirement benefits with guaranteed progression. OG scale offers higher immediate salaries but may have different pension structures. TTS provides academic freedom and research opportunities. Your choice depends on career goals and personal priorities.
Q: How are pay scales revised in Pakistan?
A: Pay scales are typically revised annually through federal and provincial budgets. Major revisions occur every few years through Pay & Pension Commissions. The Finance Division (federal) and provincial finance departments announce revisions usually in June/July during budget presentations.
Q: What happens to pay scale during deputation or foreign posting?
A: During deputation, you continue to receive your basic BPS/PPS salary from your parent department. Additionally, you receive special allowances from the deputing organization. Foreign postings typically include foreign allowance (50-100% of basic), free accommodation, and other perks while maintaining your basic scale.
Q: Are pay scales different for male and female employees?
A: No. Pakistan's government pay scales are gender-neutral. Male and female employees in the same grade with same experience receive identical basic pay and allowances. However, female employees get additional maternity leave (180 days) and childcare facilities.
Q: Can contract employees access BPS scale benefits?
A: Contract employees are usually on fixed monthly remuneration without BPS entitlements. However, if a contract employee is later regularized, their service may be counted and they join the appropriate BPS grade. Some autonomous bodies hire on OG scale contracts with limited benefits.
Future Trends & Pay Scale Reforms 2026
Digital Pay System Implementation
Government plans to digitize entire pay structure with automated increment calculations, online pension processing, and real-time allowance updates through centralized portal.
Performance-Linked Pay Initiative
Introduction of performance bonuses (10-25% of basic pay) for employees with excellent ACRs and achievement of KPIs, starting with federal secretariat.
Minimum Wage Increase
Proposed increase in minimum government salary to PKR 40,000 for BPS-1 employees, with proportional adjustments across all grades to maintain pay differentials.
Unified National Pay Commission
Establishment of permanent Pay Commission to review and recommend annual revisions, replacing ad-hoc committees. Will standardize federal and provincial scales.
Proposed Reforms
Skill-Based Allowances: Additional pay for specialized certifications
Housing Schemes: Subsidized housing replacing HRA
Health Insurance: Universal coverage for all employees
Education Support: Enhanced children education allowance
Technology Integration
Biometric Attendance: Linked with salary disbursement
Mobile Apps: Pay slip access and allowance claims
AI Monitoring: Automated increment and promotion tracking
Blockchain: Transparent pension fund management