DMG man posted as adviser to IMF executive director

ISLAMABAD: After getting clearance from the IMF on the nomination of Shahid Mehmood as senior advisor to Fund’s executive director, the government has issued notification for filling this important post based in Washington D.C.
Pakistan is currently under the IMF’s bailout package of $6.67 billion so the position of senior advisor to executive director is considered important because in the IMF’s Board meeting this senior advisor is supposed to defend Islamabad’s case.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved the nomination of Shahid Mehmood for this important slot. Then his nomination was sent out to the IMF executive director Jaffar Mujarad for seeking his endorsement by late December 2014 who endorsed this nomination.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar himself conducted interviews of the short-listed candidates for this crucial position which fell vacant after completion of tenure by Saleem Sethi who has returned from Washington D.C and is currently serving as secretary Economic Affairs Division.
Mr Shahid Mehmood, a grade-21 DMG officer who has attended a three-month course of IMF held at Washington D.C was until recently dealing with the IMF as additional secretary external finance.
In the past, Pakistan was represented by economist of Meekal Ahmed and Dr Ehitsham Ahmed in the IMF who had command over macroeconomic issues and were well versed with the working of the IMF. It is highly technical post where Pakistan’s representative is supposed to write in-depth research papers on different economies of the world, especially those that fall into our constituency.
The executive director of Pakistan’s constituency into IMF is Jaffar Mujraid belonging to Iran and other countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria, Moroco, Tunisia and Ghana.When contacted Ehitsham Ahmed said that this post involves understanding the complex and systemic issues facing the global economy, thematic macro-fiscal issues, and country-related Article IV or programme assessments.
Unfortunately, he said, a novice in this position means that all the positions taken by the Office are dictated by the Iranian Executive Director or his Moroccan Alternative. Most important countries ensure that their positions are taken into consideration (especially since the group may not have the same position on most issues).
“The role of the Senior Advisor to IMF is critical in bringing contentious issues to the notice of the authorities before positions by the Constituency are taken to the IMF Board,” he noted. Over the past year, he said, he had been involved in preparing position papers for G24 (of which Pakistan is a member) and the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
Senior advisors or executive directors from most countries (e.g., Peru) have participated actively. “I have not seen the Pakistan senior advisor attend any of the technical meetings, or even a single comment from the representative on papers produced,” he added.
This assignment is much more than being a P.O Box for the SBP or MoF in relation to programme discussions, or organising the agenda and social calendar for the visits of the Finance Minister twice a year, he maintained.
A doormat in this position neither helps the executive office, as the substantive work is palmed off to one or two “expert” advisors (e.g., former senior IMF staff members), nor does anything to reflect Pakistan’s interests on thematic issues, he concluded.
Khawaja Zaheer, special assistant to PM told The News Thursday there was no rule that allows only economists to assume this post and bars the DMG from getting this slot. He said belonging to DMG could not be considered as disqualification for the post. He said he has served as advisor to ADB and enhanced the share of the country in financial assistance despite difficult situation on many fronts. He said it was the discretion of the government and the PM made this appointment purely on merit.
He said previously Mr. Saleem Sethi, an officer of accounts group, was deputed to same post in view of his experience in AJK finance department. Advisor to finance ministry Rana Assad Amin, who is also official spokesman, said that Shahid Mehmood was appointed for three-year tenure and he would assume his position after return from Dubai when review talks with the IMF would be completed.