Team Neemopani
Quick answer: Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat is a Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer, born in Islamabad on 25 November 1981. He passed the CSS exam in 2005 and served as Deputy Commissioner Islamabad from July 2018 to April 2022, where he became known for his COVID-19 response and active social media presence. He later served in senior posts in Balochistan.
Islamabad’s Mr. Hamza Shafqaat has always been in the news for his devotion. As Deputy Commissioner, he was constantly on the go and very active with his duties. Twitter (now X) was celebrating DC Hamza Shafqaat and his achievement of digitalizing government platforms for property verification, and the day happened to be his birthday too. Here is a closer look at the man with a mission and his public career.
Who Is Hamza Shafqaat?
- Full name: Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat
- Born: 25 November 1981, Islamabad
- Service: Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), formerly District Management Group
- CSS: Passed in 2005, ranked 38th nationally
- Joined service: 29 June 2006
- Best known as: Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (July 2018 to April 2022)
Education
Hamza Shafqaat studied at Cadet College Hasan Abdal. He then earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), and later completed an MPhil in Public Policy from the National Defence University, Islamabad.
Early Career in the Civil Service
After clearing the CSS exam in 2005 with a national rank of 38, he was allocated to the District Management Group, now known as the Pakistan Administrative Service. His career started in Sindh, where he served for about three years as Assistant Commissioner in Larkana, Sukkur and Ghotki.
He then held several posts in the federal capital and government, including:
- Additional Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad
- Director, Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation
- Deputy Secretary, Establishment Division
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (2018 to 2022)
Hamza Shafqaat took charge as DC Islamabad on 19 July 2018 and served for almost four years. This is the period that made him a household name, especially among young people on social media.
COVID-19 Response
During the pandemic, he was on round-the-clock duty and was accessible to the media to share the latest coronavirus updates. Under his administration, more than 78 percent of Islamabad’s eligible population had been vaccinated by the time he left. In September 2020, he received an achievement award for his performance, dedication and contributions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Clean and Green Islamabad
He backed efforts to make Islamabad plastic-free and organised cleanliness drives on the Margalla Hills to protect the city’s green character.
Land Recovery and Digital Services
His administration recovered government land from the property mafia. The property verification app launched during his tenure meant citizens would not have to visit government offices and wait for hours to get the job done, a real step towards a digital Pakistan.
A DC on Social Media
What made him different was how reachable he was. He responded to people’s concerns on social media and supported local activists, street performers and animal rights advocates. That is why so many people sent him love and best wishes on his birthday, and why the DC was busy replying to those wishes too.
After Islamabad: Postings in Balochistan
In April 2022, Hamza Shafqaat was transferred from the post of DC Islamabad and was succeeded by Irfan Nawaz, a Grade-19 PAS officer who had been serving as DC Quetta since 2020. The change came shortly after a new federal government took office. Hamza Shafqaat then moved to Balochistan, where his later public roles include:
- November 2022: Secretary, Information Department, Government of Balochistan
- September 2023 to July 2025: Commissioner, Quetta Division
- After July 2025: Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Balochistan, a BS-20 post
Birthday Wishes From Team Neemopani
Team Neemopani wished the beloved Hamza Shafqaat a very happy birthday and the best of luck for the future. Take a look at some of our favourite tweets from his birthday. We absolutely love the fact that people acknowledged him for his dedication and hard work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hamza Shafqaat?
Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat is a Pakistan Administrative Service officer who served as Deputy Commissioner Islamabad from July 2018 to April 2022 and later held senior posts in Balochistan.
When is Hamza Shafqaat’s birthday?
Hamza Shafqaat was born on 25 November 1981 in Islamabad.
Where did Hamza Shafqaat study?
He studied at Cadet College Hasan Abdal, earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from GIK Institute, and completed an MPhil in Public Policy from the National Defence University, Islamabad.
What did Hamza Shafqaat do as DC Islamabad?
He led Islamabad’s COVID-19 response, backed plastic-free and Margalla Hills clean-up drives, recovered government land from the property mafia, and was known for answering citizens on social media.
