IT, Telecom secretary to be selected from open market

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the formation of a selection board for the contract appointment of Secretary Information Technology and Telecommunication Division through open market.

A five-member selection board has been formed under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema for appointment to this important post of Grade-22. Other members of the board include Minister of State for IT and Telecom Division Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Secretary Cabinet Division Kamran Ali Afzal, Secretary Establishment Division Inamullah Dharejo and Secretary Ministry of Commerce Jawad Pal.

The Establishment Division had invited applications from eligible candidates for the post of Secretary Information and Telecom. The committee headed by Additional Secretary-I, Establishment Division, shortlisted the candidates.

According to sources, 15 candidates have been shortlisted. Apart from serving officers, IT experts from the private sector have also applied for the post. Call letters have been issued to the candidates.

The selection board will conduct the interviews of the candidates on Monday (today) in the Committee Room of the Establishment Division. Azfar Manzoor, Special Secretary IT and Telecom Division, is among the candidates. He has the additional charge of Secretary IT Division.

Azfar Manzoor is a Grade-21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service. He has vast experience in IT sector. He earned his Master’s degree from MCI, an American institution. He also heads the Special Technology Zone. In case of selection, he will take early retirement from the service, as the contract appointment of Secretary IT Division is for two years. A senior officer of the Azad Kashmir government is a candidate for the post. PTCL officials are also in the race.