Ex-secretaries of Information, Broadcasting oppose reshuffle in ministry

ISLAMABAD: Former federal secretaries of Information and Broadcasting Ministry have expressed dismay over reports appearing in the media regarding the massive reshuffle of Information Group Officers by the caretaker government. 

According to a report, ex-secretary for Information and Broadcasting Khawaja Ijaz Sarwar, who chaired the meeting, expressed concern over reports that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for transfer of officers at a time when a date for the general elections in the country had been announced.

Given their experience of having served as senior media managers under various governments, including caretaker setups, the participants held that it was imperative to have a well-knit and coherent team. Any large-scale reshuffle of officers in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, at this stage, will only vitiate the atmosphere and create unnecessary misgivings.

The secretaries were unanimous in their view that instead of bringing in administrative changes, the caretaker government should solely focus on assisting the ECP in creating an environment conducive for the smooth conduct of elections.

The federal secretaries urged the ECP to decline the request of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as it would impinge upon its image as an independent constitutional body mandated to hold fair elections in the country.

The sources in the ministry declined to offer any comment on the views of former secretaries of Information and Broadcasting group. They reminded that the communication is for the ECP and the ministry wouldn’t address it.