Public Trust Clearance Template for Pakistan

A Public Trust Clearance in Pakistan serves as a mid-level security verification for government employees and contractors who need access to sensitive, but not classified, information. It's more thorough than basic employment screening but less intensive than a full security clearance.

This clearance helps organizations safeguard public resources and information under the Civil Servants Act of 1973. Common positions requiring this clearance include financial analysts, IT administrators, and procurement officers in federal departments. The verification process examines employment history, criminal records, and financial background through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Public Trust Clearance becomes essential when hiring for positions that handle sensitive government information or resources in Pakistan. This applies to roles managing financial records, IT systems, procurement processes, or administrative functions across federal departments and affiliated organizations.

Get this clearance before allowing access to sensitive databases, financial systems, or infrastructure planning documents. Pakistan's Civil Service regulations require it for positions involving public funds, citizen data through NADRA, or critical infrastructure operations. The clearance process takes 4-6 weeks, so initiate it early during recruitment for relevant positions.

• Basic Clearance (Level 1): For administrative roles handling routine sensitive data like personnel records or basic financial information
• Moderate Risk (Level 2): Covers positions managing departmental budgets, IT systems, or procurement processes
• High Risk (Level 3): Required for senior positions overseeing critical infrastructure, large-scale public funds, or national database access
• Special Access: Tailored clearance for specific departments like taxation, customs, or law enforcement with unique sensitivity requirements

• Federal Ministries: Issue and enforce Public Trust Clearance requirements for their departments and attached organizations
• HR Departments: Initiate clearance requests, maintain records, and ensure compliance for new hires and position changes
• NADRA Officials: Process background checks and verify personal information for clearance applications
• Security Agencies: Conduct detailed background investigations and provide clearance recommendations
• Government Employees: Must obtain and maintain clearance to access sensitive information or handle public resources
• Contractors: Required to secure clearance when working on government projects involving sensitive data

• Personal Information: Gather complete biodata, CNIC details, educational records, and employment history of the applicant
• Position Details: Document the specific role, access levels needed, and department requirements for clearance
• Reference Check: Collect contact information for three professional references from previous employers
• Financial Records: Compile bank statements, tax returns, and any business ownership details for the past 5 years
• Criminal Verification: Obtain police clearance certificate from local authorities
• Residential History: List all addresses for the past 10 years with verification from local authorities

• Applicant Details: Full legal name, CNIC number, current position, and department assignment
• Clearance Level: Specific trust designation and access permissions being granted
• Scope of Access: Detailed description of authorized information systems and sensitive data types
• Legal Framework: Reference to Civil Servants Act 1973 and relevant department regulations
• Confidentiality Terms: Specific obligations regarding information handling and data protection
• Duration: Validity period and renewal requirements
• Authorization: Signatures of issuing authority and department head with official stamps

A Public Trust Clearance differs significantly from an Access Control Policy in both scope and legal implications. While both documents manage information access, they serve distinct purposes in Pakistan's regulatory framework.

• Legal Authority: Public Trust Clearance is a government-issued security verification under the Civil Servants Act, while Access Control Policy is an internal organizational document
• Scope of Coverage: Trust Clearance validates an individual's reliability for handling sensitive government information, whereas Access Control Policy sets rules for all employees accessing organizational systems
• Duration and Review: Trust Clearance requires periodic renewal with formal background checks, while Access Control Policies can be updated as needed by organization leadership
• Enforcement Mechanism: Trust Clearance violations can result in criminal penalties and civil service disciplinary action, while Access Control Policy breaches typically lead to internal disciplinary measures