The interim government on Friday virtually sacked heads of four state-run organisations, de-notifying the contracts of some high-profile “political appointees”.
Those whose contracts have been de-notified included Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Director General (DG) Murtaza Solangi, a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Shahjehan Khatran, brother of PPP leader Mirbaz Khan Khatran, State Life Corporation of Pakistan Chairman Shahid Aziz Siddiqi and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Nadeemul Haq.
The de-notifying of renowned economist and one of the top technocrats of the country, Nadeemul Haq, was taken as a shock by many who termed his ouster an “ceremonial”.
Observers said Haq’s termination might prove to be a blow to the government’s preparations for finalisation of the budgetary proposals for the year 2013-14, as the outgoing financial wizard was deeply involved with the subject, including the engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF bosses have agreed in principle to provide some relief for the caretakers due to hectic lobbying by the financial team, which included Haq.
Sources in the Planning Commissions told Pakistan Today that Haq, whose tenure ended on March 2, 2013, had tendered his resignation on March 25 expressing his disinclination to continue.
However, the government did not accept his resignation and Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso asked him to continue.
“Rather than sacking him in such a manner, the resignation of Haq should have been accepted. But this un-ceremonial way of de-notifying him along with others reflected that the government treated him just like other four bosses of state-run organisations, who were sacked with their tenures yet to expire,” said a senior officer of the Planning Commission, who wished not being named.
He alleged that the top bureaucrats had played a role in the sacking of one of the top technocrats of the country.
During his tenure starting from May 3, 2010, Haq extensively worked on various issues, including civil service reforms, restructuring of Planning Commission and dominant role of Finance Ministry. He was also against the procurements of commodities.
The economic advisors of the caretaker govt is managing the economy in a fine manner. It has cut treasury bills borrowing advised the commercial banks to pay atleast 6% profit on deposit. Is trying to pay the circular debt
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