New PM to decide promotion of bureaucrats

ISLAMABAD: The decision to promote federal bureaucrats to Grades 21-22 will now be made by the new prime minister, who will be elected as a result of the February 8 election.

Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar had instructed that federal bureaucrats should be promoted to Grades 21-22 and a meeting of the selection board be called.

The Establishment Division had completed the homework for calling the board meeting. The division had sought an NOC from the Election Commission for the meeting. The ECP has refused to give an NOC. According to sources, no caretaker prime minister has ever presided over the meeting of the selection board in history, but it is not prohibited by law. In the absence of the NOC, the Establishment Division has dropped the proposal to convene a meeting of the proposed board. It was proposed to promote 20 officers of various service groups including Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service, Foreign Service, FBR and Pakistan Audit and Accounts. Since the meeting will take place after the general elections, the number will increase.

At present, a total of 20 posts of Grade 22 are vacant in the Federal Secretariat. The last meeting of the board for promotion to Grade 22 was held in February 2022. Due to shortage of Grade 22 officers, Grade 21 officers have been given additional or current or look after charge. Disappointment has spread among the aspirants due to the postponement of the meeting.