country-related Article IV or programme assessments.
Unfortunately, he said, a novice in this position means that all the positions taken by the Office are dictated by the Iranian Executive Director or his Moroccan Alternative. Most important countries ensure that their positions are taken into consideration (especially since the group may not have the same position on most issues).
“The role of the Senior Advisor to IMF is critical in bringing contentious issues to the notice of the authorities before positions by the Constituency are taken to the IMF Board,” he noted. Over the past year, he said, he had been involved in preparing position papers for G24 (of which Pakistan is a member) and the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
Senior advisors or executive directors from most countries (e.g., Peru) have participated actively. “I have not seen the Pakistan senior advisor attend any of the technical meetings, or even a single comment from the representative on papers produced,” he added.
This assignment is much more than being a P.O Box for the SBP or MoF in relation to programme discussions, or organising the agenda and social calendar for the visits of the Finance Minister twice a year, he maintained.
A doormat in this position neither helps the executive office, as the substantive work is palmed off to one or two “expert” advisors (e.g., former senior IMF staff members), nor does anything to reflect Pakistan’s interests on thematic issues, he concluded.
Khawaja Zaheer, special assistant to PM told The News Thursday there was no rule that allows only economists to assume this post and bars the DMG from getting this slot. He said belonging to DMG could not be considered as disqualification for the post. He said he has served as advisor to ADB and enhanced the share of the country in financial assistance despite difficult situation on many fronts. He said it was the discretion of the government and the PM made this appointment purely on merit.
He said previously Mr. Saleem Sethi, an officer of accounts group, was deputed to same post in view of his experience in AJK finance department. Advisor to finance ministry Rana Assad Amin, who is also official spokesman, said that Shahid Mehmood was appointed for three-year tenure and he would assume his position after return from Dubai when review talks with the IMF would be completed.