Chief Secretary of Punjab
The Chief Secretary of Punjab, commonly known as CS Punjab, is the highest-ranking bureaucratic official in the Government of Punjab, Pakistan. The Chief Secretary is appointed directly by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, underscoring the significance of the role. This position holds a status equivalent to that of a Federal Secretary, and the appointee is typically a member of the Pakistan Administrative Service.
As the administrative head of the province, the Chief Secretary oversees the functioning of all divisional commissioners and administrative secretaries in Punjab. These officials report directly to the Chief Secretary, who, in turn, reports to the Chief Minister of Punjab. However, the Chief Secretary’s appointment and removal are solely within the purview of the Prime Minister, meaning the Chief Secretary is not subordinate to the Chief Minister regarding tenure.
In addition to administrative duties, the Chief Secretary acts as the principal advisor to the Chief Minister and serves as the Secretary to the provincial Cabinet, playing a crucial role in shaping and implementing government policies. This dual role of administrative oversight and advisory responsibility makes the Chief Secretary a pivotal figure in the governance of Punjab.
List of all Chief Secretary of Punjab
Here is a list of some of Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Pakistan, along with their tenures and other details:
Kamran Rasool | |
Assumed Office: December 2003 Left Office: October 2005 Tenure: 1 year, 10 months Notable: During his tenure, Kamran Rasool focused on implementing administrative reforms aimed at improving public service delivery. He also played a pivotal role in modernizing the bureaucratic framework to enhance efficiency. | ![]() |
Salman Siddique | |
Assumed Office: October 2005 Left Office: March 2008 Tenure: 2 years, 5 months Notable: Salman Siddique’s tenure was marked by significant infrastructure development projects. He was instrumental in streamlining governmental procedures and ensuring better coordination between different departments. | ![]() |
Javed Mehmood | |
Assumed Office: March 2008 Left Office: February 2009 Tenure: 11 months Notable: Javed Mehmood’s efforts were concentrated on enhancing local governance. He initiated several projects aimed at improving municipal services and urban planning. | ![]() |
Najibullah Malik | |
Assumed Office: February 2009 Left Office: April 2009 Tenure: 2 months Notable: Despite his brief tenure, Najibullah Malik made efforts to introduce efficiency in bureaucratic processes. He focused on quick resolution of administrative issues. | |
Javed Mehmood | |
Assumed Office: April 2009 Left Office: February 2010 Tenure: 10 months Notable: In his second term, Javed Mehmood continued his reform initiatives and worked on improving service delivery mechanisms. He was also involved in several development projects. | ![]() |
Nasir Mahmood Khosa | |
Assumed Office: February 2010 Left Office: April 2013 Tenure: 3 years, 2 months Notable: Nasir Mahmood Khosa had a long and productive tenure, during which he contributed to policy development and administrative restructuring. He is credited with several successful initiatives in governance reforms. | ![]() |
Javed Iqbal | |
Assumed Office: April 2013 Left Office: October 2013 Tenure: 6 months Notable: Javed Iqbal focused on enhancing the efficiency of government departments. His tenure saw efforts to reduce bureaucratic red tape and improve the speed of public service delivery. | |
Naveed Akram Cheema | |
Assumed Office: October 2013 Left Office: January 2015 Tenure: 1 year, 3 months Notable: Naveed Akram Cheema worked on improving transparency and accountability in government operations. His efforts were aimed at ensuring that public resources were utilized effectively. | ![]() |
Khizar Hayat Gondal | |
Assumed Office: January 2015 Left Office: April 2016 Tenure: 1 year, 3 months Notable: Khizar Hayat Gondal emphasized development projects and improving governance standards. He played a key role in several infrastructure projects and administrative reforms. | ![]() |
Capt (Rtd) Zahid Saeed | |
Assumed Office: April 2016 Left Office: June 2018 Tenure: 2 years, 2 months Notable: Capt (Rtd) Zahid Saeed was significant in disaster management and public health initiatives. His tenure saw effective handling of emergencies and improvements in healthcare services. | ![]() |
Akbar Hussain Durrani | |
Assumed Office: June 2018 Left Office: October 2018 Tenure: 4 months Notable: Akbar Hussain Durrani focused on transitional management during election periods. He ensured smooth administrative functioning during the election transition phase. | ![]() |
Yousuf Naseem Khokhar | |
Assumed Office: October 2018 Left Office: November 2019 Tenure: 1 year, 1 month Notable: Yousuf Naseem Khokhar worked on digital governance and modernization of administrative services. His initiatives included introducing technology to improve public service delivery. | ![]() |
Maj (Rtd) Azam Suleman Khan | |
Assumed Office: November 2019 Left Office: April 2020 Tenure: 5 months Notable: Maj (Rtd) Azam Suleman Khan was known for his disciplined approach and focus on law and order. He implemented several measures to maintain public safety and security. | ![]() |
Jawad Rafique Malik | |
Assumed Office: April 2020 Left Office: September 2021 Tenure: 1 year, 5 months Notable: Jawad Rafique Malik managed the COVID-19 response and related administrative challenges. His tenure included efforts to ensure public health safety and effective pandemic management. | ![]() |
Kamran Ali Afzal | |
Assumed Office: September 2021 Left Office: September 2022 Tenure: 1 year Notable: Kamran Ali Afzal worked on economic reforms and enhancing inter-departmental coordination. His initiatives were aimed at boosting the economy and improving administrative efficiency. | ![]() |
Abdullah Khan Sumbal | |
Assumed Office: September 2022 Left Office: December 2022 Tenure: 3 months Notable: Abdullah Khan Sumbal focused on short-term administrative efficiency improvements. His tenure included efforts to streamline governmental procedures and improve service delivery. | ![]() |
Zahid Akhtar Zaman | |
Assumed Office: December 2022 Left Office: Incumbent Tenure: Ongoing Notable: Zahid Akhtar Zaman, the current Chief Secretary, is focused on sustainable development and governance reforms. His ongoing initiatives aim at long-term improvements in public administration. | ![]() |
The Chief Secretaries have played a crucial role in the administration and governance of Punjab province over the decades since Pakistan’s independence. They have served as the highest-ranking civil servants and executive administrative heads, advising the Chief Ministers and serving as Secretary to the provincial Cabinet.