Order of precedence in Pakistan

The Warrant of Precedence for Pakistan is a protocol list at which government of Pakistan functions and officials are seated according to their rank and office. Revised Warrant of Precedence of Pakistan is issued by Cabinet Secretariat, Cabinet Division vide letter No.7-2-2003-Min. I. Islamabad. It has been amended from time to time, the following Warrant of Precedence for Pakistan is published for general information.

Order

Rank	Warrant of Precedence
1	President of Pakistan – Asif Ali Zardari
2	Prime Minister of Pakistan – Shehbaz Sharif
3	Chairman of the Senate – Yusuf Raza Gilani Speaker of the National Assembly – Ayaz Sadiq Vice President of Pakistan
4	Chief Justice of Pakistan – Yahya Afridi Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan Senior Federal Minister (when appointed) President of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (in their own Territory within their respective charge) – Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry Prime Minister of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (in their own Territory within their respective charge) – Chaudhry Anwarul Haq Governor of the Province (in their own Province within their respective charge) Chief Minister (in their own Province within their respective charge) Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly – Omar Ayub
5	Leader of the House in the Senate – Ishaq Dar Leader of the Opposition in the Senate – Shibli Faraz Federal Ministers to the Government of Pakistan Judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Attorney-General for Pakistan (if of the status of Federal Minister) – Mansoor Usman Awan Governors and Chief Ministers, President and PM AJ & K outside their charge (After the Federal Ministers, Ministers of State and Special Assistants to the Prime Minister with Cabinet Rank) Chairman Consultative Committee on Economic Policy Ambassador-at-Large (deputed to Selected Countries only) Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan – Syedaal Khan Nasar Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly – Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah
6 Chiefs of Staff Chief of the Army Staff – General Asim Munir Chief of the Air Staff – Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Chief of the Naval Staff – Admiral Naveed Ashraf Ad-hoc Judges to the Supreme Court of Pakistan Chief Justice of the High Courts Chief Secretaries, to the Provincial Governments, officers serving in Grade-22	7	Chiefs of Staff Chief of the Army Staff – General Asim Munir Chief of the Air Staff – Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Chief of the Naval Staff – Admiral Naveed Ashraf Ad-hoc Judges to the Supreme Court of Pakistan Chief Justice of the High Courts Chief Secretaries, to the Provincial Governments, officers serving in Grade-22 only
8
9	Ministers of State to the Government of Pakistan Attorney General, to the Government of Pakistan Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Advisors to the Prime Minister Governor, State Bank of Pakistan – Jameel Ahmed Auditor General of Pakistan – Muhammad Ajmal Gondal Chairman, Federal Public Service Commission – Lt. Gen. Akhtar Nawaz Satti
10	Adviser to President of Pakistan (Not in Place now) Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary accredited to Pakistan Ex-President of Pakistan Ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan
11	Chief Election Commissioner Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court – Hameedur Rahman Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology (if he is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court) Chairman, National Accountability Bureau – Lt. Gen. Nazir Ahmed Butt Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
12
13	Speakers of the Provincial Assemblies Ministers to the Provincial Governments Parliamentary Secretaries, appointed from within the elected members of the National Assembly of Pakistan Inspector General of Police, Provincial Police Officer, serving in Grade-22 National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Authority, an officer from the Police Services of Pakistan (PSP) serving in Grade-22 only Director General, Federal Investigation Agency, an officer from the Police Services of Pakistan (PSP) serving in Grade-22 only Director General, Strategic Planning Division (Pakistan Armed Forces) Federal Tax Ombudsman Chairman, Higher Education Commission Pakistan
14	District and Session Judge Major General of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force Secretary of the Government Chairmen / Managing Directors / Director Generals / Executive Directors / Chief Executive Officers of A – Category Statutory Bodies under control of Federal Government Director General, Intelligence Bureau, Pakistan, an officer from the Police Services of Pakistan (PSP) serving in Grade-22 only Members of the Senate / Members of the National Assembly (to take precedence over all others in the said group) Puisne Judges of High Courts Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, if he is or has been a Judge of the High Court Controller General of Accounts, Pakistan Members, Central Zakat Council Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman, Federal Land Commission Director General, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics
15	President, National Defence University, Islamabad Rector, International Islamic University, Islamabad Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission (without Cabinet Rank) Visiting Ambassadors / High Commissioners of Foreign countries, not accredited to Pakistan Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan Visiting Grade-1 Diplomatic Heads of Pakistan Missions Abroad, including Ambassadors / High Commissioners / Permanent Representatives, if on duty in Pakistan Members, Federal Public Service Commission Pakistan Additional Judges to the High Courts of Provinces Members, Board of Directors, State Bank of Pakistan Executive Directors, State Bank of Pakistan Members, Federal Board of Revenue Additional Auditor General of Pakistan Special Secretaries to the Government of Pakistan, appointed in Divisions of Ministries on required basis Members, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan Federal Insurance Ombudsman Federal Ombudsman for Protection of Women Rights Brigadier General of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force
16	Charged’ Affairs, a pied of Foreign Countries Deputy Chairman, National Accountability Bureau Provincial Ombudsman, Mohtasib-e-Aala Acting Secretaries to the Government of Pakistan Additional Secretaries to the Government of Pakistan Chief Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (within the limits of Islamabad) Additional Chief Secretaries to the Provincial Governments Secretaries to the Departments of Provincial Government Commissioners of the Larger/Capital Administrative Divisions, serving Grade-21 Members, Planning Commission Visiting Grade-2 Diplomatic Heads of Pakistan Missions Abroad, Including Ambassadors / High Commissioners / Permanent Representatives, if on duty in Pakistan
17	Additional District and Session Judge Additional Secretary of the Government Additional Attorney General to the Government of Pakistan Provincial Police Officer with the actual rank of Additional Inspector General of Police, working as Inspector General in Grade-21 Director Generals (Department), Inter-Services Intelligence Commandant, Frontier Constabulary Director General, Airport Security Force Director General, Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan (of the rank of Rear Admiral) Director General, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Vice Chancellors of universities recognized by Higher Education Commission Additional Director General, Inter-Services Intelligence (of Civilian Cadre in Grade-21)
18	Commissioners, Administrative Divisions, officers serving in Grade-20 Charge d’ Affairs, an interim of foreign countries Accountant General, Pakistan Revenues Accountant Generals, to the Provincial Government Military Accountant General, an officer from the Audit and Account Group of Pakistan Executive Director General, Commerce Joint Director General, Intelligence Bureau Principal, Pakistan Administrative Staff College Registrar General of Pakistan / Chairman NADRA Director General, National Accountability Bureau of the Provinces General Manager (Operations), Pakistan Railways Chief Engineer, Public Works Department / Advisor to the Government of Pakistan (Planning, Works and Development) Director General, Meteorological Department of Pakistan Director General, Geological Survey of Pakistan Director General, Post Offices Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Office Principal Information Officer, Ministry of Information Chairman, Provincial Public Service Commissions Chairmen / Managing Directors / Director Generals / Executive Directors / Chief Executive Officers of B – Category Statutory Bodies under control of Federal Government
19	Ministers and Deputy High Commissioners (of the rank of Ministers in Embassies and High Commissions located in Pakistan) Colonel of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force Visiting Diplomatic Ministers of Pakistan, if on duty in Pakistan Advocates Generals to the Provincial Governments Visiting Grade-3 Diplomatic Heads of Pakistan Missions Abroad, Including Ambassadors / High Commissioners / Permanent Representatives, if on duty in Pakistan Financial and Economic Advisors, serving in Grade-21 Colonel and equivalent Pro-Vice Chancellor of universities recognized by HEC Chairman, Karachi Port Trust Senior Joint Secretaries to the Government of Pakistan Additional Inspectors General of Police Director General, Gilgit Baltistan Scouts Director General, Pakistan Coast Guards Defense Attaché / Advisors to Embassies and High Commission Project Director PIFRA, Ministry of Finance Deputy Auditor General (if of the status of Accountant General) Senior Member, Board of Revenue, to the Provincial Government Senior Secretary to the Provincial Government Advisors, State Bank of Pakistan Chief Collector, Customs and Excise Chief Coordinator, Federal Board of Revenue Chief Commissioner, Inland Revenue Services Regional Taxation Officer, Inland Revenue Services Deputy Director General, Military Land and Cantonments Regional Directors, Military Land and Cantonment Chief Economists, Planning Commission of Pakistan Director General, Civil Service Academy Director General, Federal Education Department Director General, Finance Service Academy Deans of the Faculties of universities recognized by HEC Meritorious Professors of universities recognized by HEC
20	Members Provincial Assemblies (to take precedence over all others in this group within their own Province) Deputy Attorney General to the Federal Government Election Commissioners of the Provinces Joint Secretaries to the Government of Pakistan (including Joint Secretary of the National Assembly) Lieutenant Colonel of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force Deputy Secretaries of the Federal Government Additional Secretaries to Provincial Government Additional Commissioners, of the Administrative Divisions District and Sessions Judges Deputy Commissioners and Collectors District Magistrates Additional Director General, Federal Investigation Agency Department Heads / Directors, State Bank of Pakistan Chief of Protocol, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief Controller of Imports and Exports Mayor of Metropolitan Corporations, Deputy Director Generals, Inter-Services Intelligence Deputy Military Accountant General Chief Controller, Military Accounts Deputy Director General, Intelligence Bureau Deputy Controller General of Accounts Consular of Embassies and Legation and High Commissioners, of Foreign and Commonwealth Governments Deputy High Commissioners of foreign countries (not holding the rank of Ministers) Visiting Consuls General of Pakistan, If on duty in Pakistan Additional Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan Director, Islamic Research Institute Director General / Executive Director, Health Director General, Investment Promotion and Supplies Post Master Generals, Pakistan Director Generals, Audit Director General, Pub Relations Director General, Radio Pakistan Director General, Telegraphs and Telephones Additional General Manager, Pakistan Railways Draftsman of the Government of Pakistan Collectors, Customs and Excise Commissioner, Inland Revenue Services Financial and Economic Advisors, serving in Grade-20 Educational Advisor Members, Provincial Board of Revenue Members, Provincial Zakat Council Solicitor to the Government of Pakistan Visiting Ministers Plenipotentiary, of foreign countries Directing Staff, National School of Public Policy Chairmen / Managing Directors / Director Generals / Executive Directors / Chief Executive Officers of C – Category Statutory Bodies under control of Federal Government Additional Advocate Generals of Provincial Governments Visiting Diplomatic / Commercial Counselor of Pakistan, if on duty in Pakistan Senior Trade Commissioners of Foreign and Commonwealth Government Deputy Inspector General of Police Press Secretary, Ministry of Information Project Directors, Federal Schemes Senior Joint Director, State Bank of Pakistan Controllers, Local Audit Head of Departments of universities Professors of Universities and Colleges Principals, Degree Grade Colleges (if of the status of Professor) Chairmen, Text Book Boards Chief Engineer (Planning, Works and Development) to the Provincial Governments Director General, Tobacco / NHEPRN Deputy Director General Health Members Provincial Pub Service Commissions Deputy Director General Investment Promotion and Supplies Department Deputy Director General Telegraphs and Telephones Department Director General National Crisis Management Cell
21	Joint District and Session Judge Assistant Advocate Generals to the Provincial Governments Diplomatic Consuls and First Secretaries of Pakistan, to Embassies, High Commissioners and Legations of Foreign and Commonwealth Governments Chairman of District Council Chairman Municipal Committee Assistant Inspector Generals of Police Senior Superintendent of Police Chairman District Zakat Committee Chairmen, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Chief Commercial Manager, Railways Chief Internal Auditor, Railways Chief Finance and Accounts Officer Chief Account Officers Deputy Project Director, Federal Scheme Chief Controller of Stores, Railways Chief Engineer, Pakistan Railways Chief Operating Superintendents, Railways Chief Traffic Manager, Railways Chief Conservator of Forests Directors, Agriculture Directors, Public Instructions Directors, Railways Wing Chief Health / Medical Officer Additional Director General, Health Deputy Post Master General Government Inspector of Railways Inspector General of forests to the Government of Pakistan Inspector General of Prisons to the Provincial Government Deputy Press Secretary, Ministry of Information Controller, Military Accounts Consultant, Physician / Surgeon Principals, Inter Grade Colleges, of the status of Associate Professor Trade Commissioners of Foreign and Commonwealth Government Directors, Intelligence Bureau Directors, Federal Investigation Agency Agricultural Development Commissioner Government of Pakistan Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of Pakistan Chief Controller of Imports And Exports (if of the status of Deputy Secretary to the Federal Government) Deputy, Financial Advisers Regional Director Finance, PIFRA Assistant Corporate Secretary, State Bank of Pakistan Joint Director, State Bank of Pakistan Regional Election Commissioner General Manager, Federal Schemes Additional Collectors, Customs and Excise Additional Commissioners, Inland Revenue Services Assistant Military Accountant General Additional Accountant General Province Deputy Chief Internal Auditor Directors Audits and Accounts Directors of Ordnance Factories Joint Director Finance, Railways President of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi Commercial Manager, Pakistan Railways Registrars, Universities, of Universities recognized by HEC Associate Professors of Universities and Colleges Registrar Cooperative Societies Secretary to the Provincial Assembly Secretaries, Provincial Railway Boards Deputy Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan Superintending Engineer Directors of Health Services Medical Superintendents of Hospitals Principal Medical / Research Officer Drug Controller / Principal Pharmacist Surgeon / Physician Chief Executive Officers of Cat – A Cantonments Military Estate Officers of Cat – A Cantonments
22	Senior Civil Judge and Senior Judicial Magistrate Lieutenant Colonel of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force Deputy Commissioner Chief Judge of the Small Causes Courts, Karachi Diplomatic Vice Consuls and Second Secretaries of Pakistan, to * Embassies, High Commissioners and Legations of Foreign and Commonwealth Governments Deputy Secretaries, Provincial Government Junior Joint Director, State Bank of Pakistan Additional Deputy Commissioners, of the Administrative Districts in Provinces Deputy Accountant General Deputy Controller Military Accounts Joint Controller Local Audit Deputy Director Audits and Accounts Community Welfare / Accounts Attaché Divisional Accounts Officer, Railway Deputy Controller Local Audit Assistant Auditor General Assistant Controller General of Accounts Senior Internal Audit Officer District Support Manager, Finance Deputy Collector, Customs and Excise
23	Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Major of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force Assistant Commissioners, of the Administrative Sub-Divisions/ Tehsils/ Talukas Third Secretaries to Diplomatic Missions of Pakistan Abroad, to Embassies, High Commissioners and Legations of Foreign and Commonwealth Governments Information Officer (Desk), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Town Municipal Officer Assistant Registrars of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Under Secretaries, Provincial Government Deputy Registrar of the Universities District Officers, of the Provincial Departments working in Administrative Districts Additional Superintendent of Police Deputy Project Managers, Federal Schemes District Attorney Principals Senior Secondary Schools
24	Holders of President's Award of Pride of Performance Captain of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force Deputy Commissioners, Inland Revenue Services Senior Account Officer Additional Registrar, Universities, of Universities recognized by HEC Assistant Professors of Universities and Colleges Collectors of Central Excise and Land Customs Director of Inspection, Income Tax Executive District Officers Executive Engineer Superintendents of Police Commercial Secretary Deputy Commercial Manager, Pakistan Railways Project Manager, Federal Scheme Public Relation Officers Assistant Director General Health Deputy Medical Superintendent Senior Registrar / Resident Surgeon Associate Surgeon / Physician Deputy Drug Controller / Senior Pharmacist Senior Medical Officer Divisional Superintendent Post Office Divisional Transport Officer, Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officers of Cat – B Cantonments Military Estate Officers of Cat – B Cantonments Deputy Director, Intelligence Bureau Deputy Director, Federal Investigation Agency Section Officers to Federal Government
25	Assistant Superintendent of Police Lieutenant of the Army and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force Assistant Collector, Customs and Excise Assistant Commissioners, Inland Revenue Services Assistant Military Accountant General Assistant Accountant Generals of the Provincial Government Assistant Director, State Bank of Pakistan Account Officer, State Bank of Pakistan Foreign Exchange Officer, State Bank of Pakistan Section Officers, working in the Departments of the Provincial Government Assistant Director, Intelligence Bureau Assistant Director, Federal Investigation Agency Chief Executive Officers of Cat – C Cantonments Military Estate Officers of Cat – C Cantonments Assistant Registrar, Universities, of Universities recognized by HEC Medical Officer (General Duty) Assistant Drug Controller / Pharmacist Assistant Dental Surgeon Sub-Divisional Engineers/ Officers Research Associates, Universities Deputy / Assistant District Officers Deputy Superintendents of Police Account Officer, State Bank of Pakistan Assistant Transport Officer, Pakistan Railways Assistant Controller, Military Accounts Assistant Director, Audit and Accounts Lecturers, Universities and Colleges

Explanatory notes

The entries in the above table, which are in alphabetical order in each article, apply exclusively to the persons entered therein, and while regulating their relative precedence with each other accordingly to the number of the article, do not give them any precedence over member of the non-official community resident in Pakistan, who shall take their place according to usage.
Officers in the above table will take precedence in order of the numbers of entries. Those included in one number will take precedence inter-se according to date of entry into the number. When two or more officers enter an article on the same, their inter-se seniority will be fixed on the basis of length of class 1 service. Officers of the defense service will rank inter-se in accordance with their seniority.
Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies when in uniform will salute senior officers of neighbouring Arm / Force / Law Enforcement Agency. They will also "SALUTE" National / State office holders (both elected and nominated) before each official meet. Rule for saluting will be governed by above stipulated precedence. Correspondingly, office holders / civilian officials will also greet senior officers of Law Enforcement Agencies considering their protocol.
All persons not mentioned in the above table, who hold an ex-officio rank, will be placed in the same article as persons holding that rank.
When an officer holds more than one position in the table he will be entitled to the highest position accorded to him.
An officer on entering an article, by virtue of a change in his office to an article lower than that which was occupied by him immediately preceding this change, will take his seniority in the lower article with effect from the date of his entry into the higher article: provided that if he re-enters a lower article in which he was included earlier, he will take his seniority in that lower article from the original date of his entry into it.
All ladies, unless by virtue of holding an appointment themselves, they are entitled to a higher position in the table, will take place according to the rank herein assigned to their husbands.
All other persons who may not be determined in this table will take rank according to general usage, which is to be explained and determined by the president in case any question shall arise.
Retired civil and military officers will be placed at the end of the articles in which they were included immediately before their retirement.
Seniority of the officers will be determined with reference to the holding appointment mentioned in the article, irrespective of the grades which they possess.
Order of protocol will be followed in the same manner for making phone calls through operators.

Order

Explanatory notes

References