PM shakes up senior bureaucrats

In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Monday transferred and posted six federal secretaries besides appointing Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhary as finance advisor, who would be in-charge of the ministry.
Per the official handout, the premier approved notifications for new appointments and transfers with the consent of the president.
According to a news agency, the reshuffle was met with dismay, especially by the Establishment Division that termed the postings as violation of transfer norms and contrary to national interest.
However, sources in the ministry of finance told Pakistan Today that the change of guard at the ministry of finance and appointment of Dr Waqar Masood hinted at the government’s intentions on future engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
“Dr Waqar Masood is considered an expert on dealing with the IMF. He is likely to fly to Washington on Tuesday (today) to attend spring meetings with the IMF and the World Bank. Pakistan is likely to hold informal talks with the IMF on the sidelines of the spring meetings,” the source added.
Another source said the change was made over questions on the ‘loyalties’ of Nasir Khosa who had served as Punjab chief secretary for a long time and is the outgoing finance secretary.
Another reason for Khosa’s replacement is being termed as a part of a long-term plan since Khosa is due to retire in three months time.
Waqar Masood, who has again been appointed the finance secretary, was inducted in federal service on recommendations of President Asif Ali Zardari during Benazir Bhutto’s government in 1996. Sources said he is disliked by his fellow DMG officers for being a ‘political appointee’.
The notification means that this is the fourth time Masood has been appointed as finance secretary.
Masood had been appointed as finance secretary in December 2010 also. However, he was replaced in February 2012 when former finance minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh appointed Wajid Rana in his place.
Meanwhile, PM Khoso also appointed Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhary as finance advisor.
Shahid has served as rector at Lahore School of Economics and was also a visiting faculty for Economics at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).
Nasir Khosa has now been appointed textile secretary while Ahmed Bux Lehri replaced Taimoor Azmat Usman as establishment secretary. Usman has now been transferred to the food ministry as food security secretary.
Chaudhry Ejaz, who has in past held the post of petroleum secretary, was appointed Sindh’s chief secretary.
On April 12, the Sindh caretaker government transferred dozens of senior civil servants – including secretaries, commissioners and deputy commissioners – in compliance with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) orders.
Meanwhile, the PM has taken prompt notice of reports carried by media wherein it was stated that Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan approached ECP demanding high security.
The prime minister issued instant directions to Ministry of Interior as well as the provincial government to contact the ANP chief and address his security concerns comprehensively.
The PM reiterated that the caretaker government will do all it takes to provide adequate security so that political parties and their candidates can participate in the general elections with a sense of security.
The premier further said he is constantly monitoring the situation and is in touch with relevant authorities to ensure that peace and order is maintained in the run up to the historic elections.