Official Decorum Attire and Etiquette

On July 28, 2026, the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore, arranged a talk on "Official Decorum Attire and Etiquette" for participants of the 47th Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC). The talk was delivered by Captain (R) Muhammad Usman Younis, a Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer from the 27th Common Training Programme Captain (R) Younis, who has previously served in several key positions in the Federal and Punjab governments, is currently the Director General (Administration) at the National School of Public Policy (NSPP) Lahore.

The guest speaker began his talk by sharing a picture of an inappropriately clad public servant and soliciting participants views. He used their responses to underscore the significance of proper attire for public servants, explaining that formal wear signals authority and respect for institutions and colleagues. For civil servants, he stated, attire is an instrument of governance. He then discussed the impact of formal attire, noting that it shapes both self-perception and others' opinions. The general public, he added, gauges an institution's integrity by the appearance of its officers. Moreover, formal attire reinforces institutional discipline and esprit de corps.

The guest speaker made extensive use of images to highlight various aspects of formal dressing. such as the "dress code hierarchy," detailing formal, semi-formal, and casual attire. He also spoke in detail about the importance of wearing a proper tie appropriately. Next, he addressed wearing proper shoes, socks, and belts. Other aspects covered included watches and jewelry, hair, mustache and beard, and fragrances. The guest speaker then summarized the do's and don'ts of professional officer dressing and discussed suitable attire for different occasions. A significant portion of the lecture was devoted to women's formal attire. He concluded the lecture by discussing official and civil service etiquette.

The lecture was interactive, with participants asking many questions, which the guest speaker answered ably and convincingly.