Govt yet to fill key economic posts as Budget 2025-26 nears

ISLAMABAD: With the appointment of Dr Imtiaz Ahmad as the new chief economist of Pakistan, the Shehbaz Sharif government faces the task of filling two other critical positions in the country’s economic ministries.

Just ahead of the federal budget for 2025-26, the post of economic adviser at the Ministry of Finance has fallen vacant following Dr Imtiaz Ahmad’s elevation to chief economist at the Ministry of Planning. Previously serving as economic adviser at the Ministry of Finance, Dr Ahmad was promoted from BPS-21 to BPS-22.

Another key position is set to become vacant in the coming weeks, as the current Joint Chief Economist (JCE) Zafar Ul Hassan -- also in BPS-21 -- is due to retire upon reaching the age of superannuation.

In Pakistan’s recent economic history, the late Dr Pervez Tahir served the longest tenure as chief economist, holding the position from 2000 to 2006. Before that, he was joint chief economist from 1996 to 2000. Dr Tahir was removed from his post in 2006 during the Musharraf-Shaukat Aziz regime.

The economic adviser post at the Finance Ministry now stands vacant. The Central Selection Board (CSB) recently approved the promotions of two officers from the Economist Group -- Dr Raja Hassan Mohsin and Dr Muhammad Ali Talpur -- from grade 20 to 21, though official notifications are still awaited. Another senior officer, Nasir Rai (BPS-21), is currently awaiting a posting.

Three officers are being considered for the two key roles of economic adviser at the Ministry of Finance and joint chief economist: Dr Raja Hassan Mohsin, Dr Muhammad Ali Talpur and Nasir Rai.

Dr Hassan Mohsin holds a PhD in Economics, specialising in monetary economics and finance, from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). His thesis was titled ‘Essays on Money and Finance: The Case of Selected South Asian Countries’.

Dr Muhammad Ali Talpur holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro. He is currently serving as chief of economic appraisal in the Ministry of Planning. His previous roles include economic consultant at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, and service with the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee.

The federal secretary for planning is expected to finalise the appointments for these two important positions soon, in consultation with the Minister for Planning, the Minister for Finance, and the Secretary of Finance. The economic adviser to the Ministry of Finance will lead the preparation of the Economic Survey 2024-25 -- an essential document ahead of the upcoming budget.

The new joint chief economist is also expected to be appointed shortly, as the Ministry of Planning moves towards finalising the Annual Plan and the new Five-Year Plan in line with the government’s Uraan Pakistan initiative.