Charge-Sheet and Statement of Allegations Under E&D Rules 2020 in Pakistan
A charge-sheet and statement of allegations under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020 form a central part of disciplinary proceedings against a federal civil servant where a regular inquiry is ordered. Charge-Sheet and Statement of Allegations Under E&D Rules 2020
The legal terminology requires some precision. The federal E&D Rules 2020 do not create a separate rule headed “charge-sheet” in the same manner as a criminal procedural code. Instead, Rule 9 requires the competent authority, where an inquiry is considered necessary, to pass an order of inquiry in writing containing the grounds of proceedings and clearly specified charges, together with the apportionment of responsibility. In actual federal disciplinary practice, this order is frequently issued together with a charge-sheet and statement of allegations. Charge-Sheet and Statement of Allegations Under E&D Rules 2020
The distinction is more than terminology. A disciplinary proceeding depends upon the employee being informed of the case that has to be answered. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recently emphasized that departmental action must remain confined to the allegations communicated to the employee and cannot ordinarily be based upon an entirely different allegation introduced later in the proceedings. Faisal Ali v. District Police Officer, Gujrat, 2025 SCMR 92 is particularly important on this point. Charge-Sheet and Statement of Allegations Under E&D Rules 2020
What Is a Charge-Sheet in Departmental Proceedings?
In federal service practice, a charge-sheet identifies the allegation or allegations of misconduct, inefficiency, corruption or other conduct falling within the disciplinary framework that are being attributed to the civil servant.
Rule 2 of the E&D Rules defines “charges” as allegations of omission or commission by the accused relating to the grounds specified in the Rules. Rule 3 identifies the grounds on which a civil servant may be proceeded against, including inefficiency, misconduct and corruption.
A charge therefore provides the legal and factual foundation of the disciplinary proceeding.
A properly framed charge answers the fundamental question:
What act or omission is the civil servant alleged to have committed?
The statement of allegations then supplies the factual circumstances supporting that charge.
Rule 9 and the Order of Inquiry
Where the competent authority decides that a regular inquiry is necessary, Rule 9(1) requires an order of inquiry in writing.
The order must include:
- appointment of an inquiry officer or inquiry committee;
- the grounds of proceedings, clearly specifying the charges and apportionment of responsibility;
- appointment of a departmental representative; and
- direction to the accused to submit a written defence to the inquiry officer or inquiry committee within ten days from receipt of the order, subject to the extension contemplated by the Rule.
The inquiry officer or convener is, as far as possible, required to be senior in rank to the accused. Where multiple civil servants are proceeded against jointly, the Rule contains a corresponding requirement concerning seniority.
Charge-Sheet and Statement of Allegations in Actual Federal Practice
Although Rule 9 describes the required contents of the order of inquiry, federal departments commonly issue an instrument described as:
Order of Inquiry + Charge Sheet + Statement of Allegations
Official federal disciplinary notifications demonstrate this terminology. For example, an Establishment Division notification records disciplinary proceedings initiated through an “Order of Inquiry, Charge Sheet and Statement of Allegations” under the 2020 Rules.