Bureaucracy in Punjab brace for major reshuffle after chief secretary’s appointment

LAHORE: Punjab is all set to witness yet another major reshuffle in bureaucracy following Dr Kamran Afzal’s taking over the office of chief secretary.

Earlier on Monday, PM Imran Khan, after consulting CM Usman Buzdar, selected Federal Secretary Industries and Production Dr Kamran Afzal from the panel of three officers moved by Establishment Division for the office of chief secretary.

Punjab forwarded the names of Federal Cabinet Secretary Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, Senior Member Board of Revenue Babar Hayat Tarar and Dr Kamran Afzal to the Establishment Division.

Due to recent controversies, Establishment Division forwarded revised list to the PM Secretariat, replacing Babar Hayat Tarar with Secretary Water Resources Ali Raza.

Officials privy to this development told Bol News that the PM selected Dr Kamran Afzal due to his acquaintance with financial matters.

As former finance secretary, they said, Dr Kamran Afzal – an Aitchisonian and a Harvard graduate – impressed the premier through briefings on financial matters. They said that Dr Kamran Afzal has been chosen by the PM for improving financial management of the biggest federating unit.

As economy will be the focus of the new CS, Chairman P&D Board Abdullah Sumbal and Secretary Finance Iftikhar Sahu are the possible casualties of the change at the Civil Secretariat.

Prior to these two changes, three seniors are likely to opt for moving to the federal capital for new postings. SMBR Babar Hayyat Tarar (BPS-22 officer from 18th common), Additional Chief Secretary Iram Bokhari (BPS-21 officer from 19th common) and Home Secretary Zafar Nasrullah (BPS-21 officer from 17th common) could opt for reporting to the Establishment division for future postings in Islamabad.

Following the exit of above-mentioned senior bureaucrats, who are batch-mates of new CS, Secretary Transport Ali Murtaza and Secretary Irrigation Capt (R) Saif Anjum could manage to grab the vacant lucrative offices.

The accommodation of batch-mates on senior posts may lead to a massive reshuffle. There is a likelihood that the new CS can requisition the Establishment Division for dispatching officers of his choice from Islamabad to fill the vacant offices.