Caretaker government reshuffles 29 top bureaucrats, chief secretaries

ISLAMABAD : The caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has undertaken a significant reshuffle with the bureaucratic ranks including the top officials across various departments.

As per media reports, during the sweeping revamp, numerous deputy and special secretaries along with senior officers have undergone transfers and new postings.

The reports said that among the changes, Kamran Ali Afzal, a BS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) has been appointed as Secretary of the Cabinet Division whereas Sajid Baloch, a BS-21 officer of the PAS, previously serving as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Division, has been reassigned as Special Secretary in the same division.

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Furthermore, Muhammad Abdullah Khan Sumbal, a BS-21 officer of PAS, previously rendering his services as Additional Secretary (Incharge) in the Science and Technology Division, has been moved to the Interior Division in a similar capacity. Meanwhile, Hasan Nasir Jamy, a BS-22 officer of the PAS, formerly holding the post of Secretary in the Water Resources Division, has been redeployed as Secretary in the Information Technology and Telecommunication Division.

In addition, Momin Agha has been transferred to the Petroleum Division in an Additional Secretary (Incharge) role, and Captain (r) Muhammad Mahmood has transitioned from Additional Secretary (Incharge) in the Petroleum Division to the same position in the National Food Security and Research Division.

The reports further disclosed that Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash, who was serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Establishment Division, now would lead the Housing and Works Division as Secretary. Another change included Syed Asif Hyder Shah, a BS-22 officer of the PAS, who has been designated as Secretary of the Climate Change Division.

As per the media, the series of shifts continued with Allah Dino Khawaja becoming Secretary of the Human Rights Division, Humaira Ahmad stepping into the role of Secretary in the National Heritage and Culture Division, and Syed Ali Murtaza, formerly working as Secretary of the Interior Division, assuming the position of Secretary in the Water Resources Division.

Meanwhile, Fakhre Alam Ifran, a BS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, previously Secretary of the Housing and Works Division, has now been appointed as the Chief Secretary of the Government of Sindh.

The reports further said that Dawood Muhammad Barech who previously served as the Additional Secretary in the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Division, would now serve under the Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir as Chief Secretary in the region.

The changes cascade further with Shakeel Qadir Khan stepping into the position of Chief Secretary of the Government of Balochistan, and Captain (r) Muhammad Anwar-ul-Haq taking on the role of Chief Commissioner for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Islamabad.

Amidst the adjustments, Ali Raza Bhutta, a BS-22 officer of the PAS, formerly Secretary of the Human Rights Division, has transitioned to the post of Secretary in the Science and Technology Division.

Several more officers including Sarah Saeed and Mustafa Jamal Qazi have been transferred and posted in this extensive bureaucratic restructuring, whereas Iram Anjum Khan, a BS-22 officer, has been posted as Secretary of the Maritime Affairs Division.

Meanwhile, a series of orders has been issued by caretaker government for several officers to report to Establishment division. These included Fareena Mazhar holding rank of BS-22, Abdul Ghufran Memon, a BS-22 officer; Yawar Hussain, a BS-20 officer; Capt (r) Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, a BS-21 officer; Eazaz Aslam Dar, a BS-22 officer; Navid Ahmad Sheikh, a BS-22 officer; Musaddiq Ahmad Khan, a BS-21 officer; Muhammad Sohail Rajput, a BS-22 officer; Muhammad Usman Chachar, a BS-22 officer and Abdul Aziz Uqaili, a BS-22 officer.