Dr Tauqir Shah, former principal secretary and key aide to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, has been made ambassador to World Trade Organisation (WTO). The approval was given by the federal government on Thursday, sources told Pakistan Today.
Dr Shah was removed from his post after the Model Town tragedy in which police gunned down at least 14 workers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) during an “anti-encroachment operation” in June, 2014.
Sources said that the decision to appoint Dr Shah was strongly opposed by Federal Secretary for Trade Arbab Shahzad but the summary was forwarded despite his opposition. The first summary, which contained the names of Fazal Abbas Makeen, SIM Nayyer and Qasim Niaz, was rejected, sources said, adding that the second summary comprising the names of Dr Shah, Umar Hameed Khan and Asad Majeed was admitted and the former’s name was preferred over the others.
According to the tradition, an officer from Commerce and Trade Group should have been given preference for this post because trade laws, agreements and services related to trade are a regular feature for this post. However, an officer belonging to the District Management Group (DMG) was preferred in this case, sources said, adding that previously only officers from Grade 21 and 22 were chosen for this post but this time special concession was given and a Grade 20 officer was appointed for the post.
Sources said the position is currently held by Tipu Mahabat Khan who has already been promoted to Grade 21 but now a Grade 20 officer will be heading this mission in Geneva.
Pakistan Today made repeated efforts to contact Dr Shah but he remained unavailable.