12 important slots lying vacant for months

ISLAMABAD:Several key positions in the federal government are unmanned or overseen by junior officers for the past many months now.

As the situation stands, presently at least 12 slots of very important and sensitive nature, including constitutional posts, mostly under the purview of Finance Ministry, are lying vacant with officials holding charge of these positions on temporary basis.

Presently, federal ombudsman, interior secretary, Statistic Division secretary, Privatisation Commission secretary, petroleum and natural resources secretary, Communication secretary, FIA director general, FBR chairman, State Bank of Pakistan governor, executive director in IMF, Washington, and Auditor General, Pakistan, are the positions which have fallen vacant over time but are being held by junior officers on acting-charge basis.

The News has learnt that interior secretary position fell vacant when Arif Khan the then interior secretary proceeded on leave and said would not be able to re-join office even after expiry of his leave so some suitable person should be appointed as interior secretary.

Post of the federal ombudsman fell vacant on February 27th when tenure of sitting Ombudsman Salman Farooqi ended.  According to rules, the federal ombudsman continues to hold office till the arrival of new ombudsman.

Dr Irshad was given charge of the office of the FBR chairman on look after basis on 19th January 2017. Then after his retirement, he was given extension till 30th June, and he is still working on extension. There is no indication that government is considering appointing any officer in this position.

Post of the governor of State Bank of Pakistan is vacant after completion of tenure by outgoing Ashraf Vathra. Riazuddin is looking after the charge of this office since 2nd May 2017.

Similarly, position of executive director in IMF, Washington, fell vacant when Shahid Mahmmud was called back and posted as special secretary, finance so that he might take over as finance secretary after retirement of sitting finance secretary on June 18th. His vacated position is vacant since last sex weeks.

Same is the case of auditor general of Pakistan slot. Rana Asad Amin retired about two months back.

Then comes the position of Statistic Division secretary, census exercise has just completed, result is being prepared. After the retirement of Dr Shujaat Ali, the position is still vacant. Same is the case with Privatisation Commission secretary. Its chairman was appointed as Sindh governor, so position fell vacant. Then the secretary was transferred and posted as information secretary.

Communication secretary is very important as this office is playing implementation of CPEC. NHA Chairman, Shahid Ashraf Tarar, is holding additional charge of the slot since many months.

Petroleum and Natural Resources secretary fell vacant when Arshad Mirza was removed and junior officer Sikandar Sultan Raja was appointed as Secretary in charge. 

When The News contacted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to know the reason for delay in such appointments, he said there were two/three reasons for this delay, and at the top was his engagement in budget exercise. Secondly, meeting officers’ promotion board is due and presently senior officers are not available. As soon as promotions are decided, senior officers will be posted against such slots.

He further stated that posting of AGP and State Bank governor is concerned officials for three months can be posted on acting charge basis. There was difficulty in finding best persons for such slot. Because highly talented officer do not accept this job as they are getting much better salary abroad. Till 2 August State Bank governor will be posted, Dar stated.