Civil servants in Pakistan, once associated with discretion, humility, and a focus on public welfare, are now undergoing a transformation in public perception. This shift is fueled by the increasing visibility of bureaucrats, not just through their professional roles, but also through social media and popular culture. The emergence of celebrity bureaucrats, flaunting luxurious lifestyles and gaining vast social media followings, raises concerns about the transparency and neutrality that have traditionally defined the civil service. This editorial explores the impact of this glamorization on public trust, the ethical ramifications for governance, and the challenges it poses to democratic accountability.
Follow CPF WhatsApp Channel for Daily Exam Updates
Cssprepforum, led by Sir Syed Kazim Ali, supports 70,000+ monthly aspirants with premium CSS/PMS prep. Follow our WhatsApp Channel for daily CSS/PMS updates, solved past papers, expert articles, and free prep resources.
Historically, civil servants in Pakistan have played an essential role in maintaining the machinery of the state. From the early days of the British Raj, when bureaucrats were seen as the guardians of governance, to post-independence Pakistan, they were revered as impartial professionals committed to public service. However, the landscape has dramatically shifted over the past few decades. Today, civil servants are no longer just public servants; they are increasingly seen as influencers and celebrities.
The primary catalyst for this shift has been the rise of social media. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok have allowed bureaucrats to curate personal brands, showcase their professional journeys, and share glimpses of their lifestyles. The once-staid profession of civil service has morphed into a stage for self-promotion, with many officers finding themselves at the intersection of public duty and personal branding.
While this trend might initially appear to inject a sense of modernity and relevance into the civil service, it carries significant risks. The public service ethos, which demands neutrality, accountability, and a focus on the greater good, is increasingly threatened by the cult of personality that emerges when civil servants become stars in their own right. Civil servants today find themselves navigating a landscape where their personal image might overshadow their public duties, threatening to shift the focus away from governance to self-promotion.
One of the most profound ways in which glamorization of civil servants manifests is through their use of social media platforms. Bureaucrats now routinely share updates on their work, personal lives, and luxury experiences with their followers. Most of the officers have gained immense popularity on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. By showcasing their achievements and luxurious lifestyles, they blur the line between public service and personal brand building.
While some of these bureaucrats as influencers claim to promote the values of the civil service, the underlying message often centers on fame, wealth, and success. Civil servants now appear less as humble public servants and more as celebrities, reinforcing the idea that the civil service is not about duty but about attaining personal glory. This shift not only distorts the public’s understanding of the civil service but also shifts the focus from institutional objectives to individual prestige. Civil servants are increasingly seen not as stewards of public trust, but as self-promoting figures seeking personal gain through their association with power.
Furthermore, the rise of the civil service coaching industry has also played a significant role in the glamorization of bureaucrats. Coaching centers across Pakistan often invite former civil servants to share their success stories, painting an idealized image of what it means to be a civil servant. These seminars, often costing hefty fees, present civil service not as a platform for societal change, but as a pathway to power and wealth.
Also, this idolization has turned civil servants into role models, symbols of success and status, rather than representatives of the public interest. The competitive environment created by these coaching centers has led to a shift in priorities for those pursuing civil service: it’s no longer about serving the public, but rather about securing a prestigious and lucrative career. This trend diminishes the true essence of governance, as it encourages individuals to enter the civil service for personal gain rather than for the purpose of public welfare. The glamorization of these bureaucrats, through both the coaching industry and social media, results in a growing number of aspirants entering the civil service, not to serve the people, but to achieve fame, wealth, and status.
Another significant issue is the disconnect between the online personas of bureaucrats and the reality of public service. Civil servants may post images of themselves attending luxury events, traveling to exotic destinations, or indulging in expensive hobbies, yet many of these same individuals are responsible for managing government departments riddled with inefficiency, corruption, and poor service delivery.
This stark contrast breeds distrust. When citizens witness bureaucrats living extravagant lives while public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure remain underfunded and plagued by inefficiencies, it creates a sense of disillusionment. The glamourized image of civil servants fosters a sense of inequality, where those at the top appear to live a life of privilege, while the masses struggle to make ends meet. This erodes trust in governance and feeds into the narrative that the civil service is more concerned with self-interest than with serving the people.
The glamorization of civil servants has also given rise to perceptions of elitism within the bureaucracy. This trend is particularly evident in the luxurious lifestyles of some senior officers, who are often seen attending high-profile social events or posting about their expensive tastes. Such displays of wealth and privilege create a divide between civil servants and the general public, particularly those living in poverty or facing socio-economic hardships.
Moreover, the perception that civil servants are an elite class removes them further from the realities faced by ordinary citizens. This detachment manifests in policy-making. Bureaucrats who are removed from the struggles of the average citizen are less likely to draft policies that address the real needs of the populace. Instead, policies may reflect the interests of the powerful and privileged, leading to governance that serves the few rather than the many.
As civil servants gain more fame, their accountability is diminished. High-profile bureaucrats with massive social media followings often find themselves insulated from public scrutiny. They become less responsive to criticism, as their image takes precedence over their work. In extreme cases, such individuals may use their fame to shield themselves from performance evaluations or institutional checks, undermining the concept of merit-based advancement within the civil service.
Additionally, the emphasis on personal branding can affect recruitment and promotion. As civil servants become celebrities, career progression may start to depend more on image and social media influence rather than competence and merit. This can dilute the effectiveness of the bureaucracy and result in the selection of individuals who are better at maintaining an online presence than at delivering quality public service. The professional culture of merit, dedication, and service is being overshadowed by the image-driven focus of popularity and celebrity status.
Globally, other nations have faced similar issues with the glamorization of public figures. In the UK and Canada, for example, there are strict guidelines governing the conduct of public officials on social media. These regulations aim to preserve the impartiality and professionalism of the civil service. In India, discussions have begun around the need for a social media code of conduct for bureaucrats, with the goal of maintaining ethical boundaries between public service and personal branding.
Pakistan, however, lacks such policies, leaving its civil service vulnerable to ethical compromises. The absence of formal regulations on public appearances, social media usage, and personal branding allows for the exploitation of public office for personal gain, undermining the principles of neutrality and accountability that are essential for good governance. Without clear guidelines or oversight, civil servants can use their platforms to engage in self-promotion that diminishes the integrity of the office they hold.
Some bureaucrats have turned their social media platforms into successful brands. These influencers have massive followings, yet their content often blurs the line between educational insights and personal self-promotion. Although their stories may inspire young aspirants, they also create unrealistic expectations of the civil service and obscure the systemic challenges faced by bureaucrats in Pakistan. These influencers rarely discuss the complexities of governance or the slow pace of bureaucratic reform. Instead, they glorify the perks of the profession while ignoring its inherent challenges.
Television dramas portray civil servants as heroic figures, almost god-like in their ability to navigate the political and bureaucratic landscape. While these portrayals may inspire young viewers to pursue a career in the civil service, they also set unrealistic expectations about the nature of governance. Real-world bureaucrats do not have the power to single-handedly resolve national crises, and governance is not as glamorous as popular media often suggests.
In some instances, civil servants who gain popularity on social media or through their association with political elites find themselves promoted, often at the expense of more qualified candidates. This trend raises concerns about meritocracy within the civil service and creates a perception of favoritism, further eroding public trust. The perceived focus on image rather than expertise only further complicates the already challenging task of ensuring accountability within the bureaucracy.
500 Free Essays for CSS & PMS by Officers
Read 500+ free, high-scoring essays written by officers and top scorers. A must-have resource for learning CSS and PMS essay writing techniques.
Critically analyzing, the glamorization of civil servants in Pakistan presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While it has the potential to attract talented individuals to public service, it simultaneously undermines the foundational principles of transparency, accountability, and neutrality. As civil servants become more visible in the media, their personal brand may overshadow their professional responsibilities. To protect the integrity of the civil service, Pakistan must implement clear guidelines for social media conduct, emphasize the values of humility and service in civil service training, and ensure that career advancement is based on merit rather than image. By doing so, the country can restore public trust in its bureaucratic institutions and ensure that governance remains focused on serving the people.
The question remains whether the civil service will adapt to the changing world while maintaining its core values. Can the bureaucracy continue to serve the public effectively while embracing modern tools of communication and self-promotion, or will it succumb to the temptation of self-glorification? Pakistan's response to this challenge will define the future of its governance model, determining whether it is led by dedicated public servants or star-studded bureaucrats focused on their own image.
