Babar Yaqoob rehabilitated Ziarat Residency

Islamabad

President Mamnoon Hussin has awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz to Election Commission Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad for his services as chief secretary, Balochistan, specially for rehabilitation of Quaid-i-Azam’s residency commonly known as Ziarat The Residency in its original shape after its demolition by terrorists.

Babar Yaqoob belonged to District Management Group as he was given first posting in Balochistan. He worked in different positions in Balochistan before his transfer to Punjab in early 90s. In Balochistan, he earned repute as efficient and honest officer.

In Punjab he worked as DC, DCO and secretary livestock when he opted to serve in federal government in 2009. Then he was posted as chief secretary GB. He introduced refors in these areas and worked eminently to introduce political system.

During his posting as CS in GB he attracted attention of Yusuf Raza Gilani (then PM) and Mian Nawaz Sharif as both frequently visited the area. Both were impressed by his performance. Gilani picked him and posted as additional secretary (E) PM Secretariat but soon he pushed Babar out of PM Secretariat as he couldn’t toe government’s line. He was transferred and posted as secretary Kashmir Affairs where Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo was the minister. He was never happy with Babar Yaqoob due to his stance on different issues. At that time law and order situation in Balochistan went worse. He was punished by posting as chief secretary to the province. He took the uphill task and requested the federal government to give a team of honest and efficient officer in Balochistan. This was the time when commissioners and DCs as well as DIGs and SP had stopped to visit their districts. Babar Yaqoob as chief secretary forced these officer to stay in the district of their posting and establish government writ. He himself took extensive touring of the province. He faced life attempts four times but he continued to serve there, though he had severe differences with Aslam Raisani then CM Balochistan. When Ziarat Residency was demolished by the terrorists he rehabilitated it in short span of time. When Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the site, he was astonished to see the perfection in work and announced to award him with medal.

The PML-N government in 2013 transferred him as posted as Secretary Communication, CAD, Ports and Shipping and finally as secretary cabinet.

On his retirement from services in 2015, Babar Yaqoob was posted as the ECP secretary, where he is working as contract employee.