National School of Public Policy (NSPP)

The National School of Public Policy (NSPP), Lahore, founded on March 15, 2005, under the NSPP Ordinance of 2002, stands as Pakistan’s premier institution for civil service training, research, and development. This distinguished institution, with its notable units—the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) (located in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Islamabad, and Quetta), the Executive Development Institute (EDI), and the Pakistan Administrative Staff College (PASC)—is a cornerstone in the professional growth of civil servants. NSPP also houses the National Institute of Public Policy (NIPP), a dedicated research wing aimed at becoming a think tank for senior leaders in both the public and private sectors, addressing complex public policy challenges with the depth required by such roles. Civil servants, from mid-level management to the highest ranks, progress through NSPP’s rigorous, three-tier training programs, which include the 14-week Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC), the 16-week Senior Management Course (SMC), and the 18-week National Management Course (NMC). These programs span from Basic Scale-18 officers to Basic Scale-20, preparing them to meet the challenges of high-level policy-making. The courses utilize advanced methodologies, including comprehensive training modules, public policy simulation exercises, research projects, and intensive policy dialogues conducted by renowned experts from academia and industry. Through this approach, the NSPP equips Pakistan’s civil servants with the skills and insights required for effective governance and leadership.

National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Peshawar

The National Institutes of Public Administration (NIPA) Peshawar, established in 1985, play a critical role in providing research and training in public policy, supporting the career growth and promotion of civil servants across Pakistan. These comprehensive programs, integral to the professional development of government officials, are meticulously designed to meet evolving public administration and policy-making demands. Through both short- and long-term courses, NIPA equips civil servants with essential skills for effective governance. The rigorous training at NIPA includes public policy seminars and simulation exercises, culminating in extensive research projects. Annually, more than three hundred research outcomes (related to Public Policy related fields) are generated by senior civil servants as a mandatory component of their training. This research, covering diverse public policy topics, is supervised by experienced faculty and practitioners and undergoes expert review to ensure high quality and practical relevance.