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Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Deadline passes, PM's hunt for economic secretaries still on
The federal government has not yet found suitable federal secretaries from the private sector to run the key economic ministries, as the deadline given by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to shortlist the potential candidates has also lapsed. The sources privy to the internal discussions said that a committee has met with a few candidates from the private sector to hire them for running the energy divisions. The premier also chaired a meeting in the fourth week of the last month for the head hunting of Principal Accounting Officers (PAOs) who will act as secretaries in addition to finalizing the profiles of the candidates for hiring technical experts in these ministries. After the last month meeting, the prime minister had directed the Establishment Division "to complete the process of shortlisting the panels of PAOs" within three weeks, said the sources. He had also asked to share the profiles of the candidates of the remaining technical positions to the ministries. The deadline has lapsed but so far there is no formal progress on the matter, said the sources. Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Ahad Khan Cheema did not respond to a question whether the list of the shortlisted candidates had been shared with the prime minister. Last month, the government published a media advertisement seeking private sector professionals for top civil service roles, which also sparked concern among some federal ministers and bureaucrats about the potential impact on governance and institutional integrity. Under the Rules of Business of 1973, the federal secretaries are the administrative heads of the respective divisions and are responsible for smoothly running the business of the government. However, there have also been concerns that the government's work has been slowed down because of the bureaucratic inefficiencies and there was a need to bring fresh experienced blood from the private sector. But the sources said that the committee constituted to choose the candidates could not find suitable persons during its interactions. The government has engaged a foreign consultancy firm, which is charging it a handsome fee, for the headhunting purposes. The prime minister had also constituted the committee for recruiting the best workforce, aligning ministries with modern systems, and improving governance through reforms. The sources said that the majority of these candidates have good professional backgrounds but they lacked knowledge and knowhow of the policy formulation and functions of the concerned ministries. Some of these potential candidates also had concerns about the continuity of their roles in case of change of the political dispensation, the sources added. The advertisement, posted at the Establishment Division website, did not name the divisions, qualification criteria and the job descriptions. However, it suggested that the government is set to hire seven federal secretaries from the private sector to run the economy-related ministries. These are the Finance Division, Petroleum Division, Power Division, Planning Division, Industries and Production Division, National Food Security Division and Vocational Education and Training. These divisions are currently headed by officers from the all-powerful Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS). The federal government had a couple of years back given 140% executive allowance to the bureaucrats on the grounds that the officers from provinces were not ready to work in the center due to better pay packages being offered by the federating units. Another committee to improve the efficiency of the government is also working under Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The committee also met on Tuesday and focused discussions on advancing a governance model that is transparent, merit-based, and technologically driven, with clear and objective performance assessment criteria, according to a statement by the Deputy PM office. The goal is to establish a system that is results-oriented, accountable, and responsive to public needs, it added. Ishaq Dar stressed the importance of institutional efficiency, evaluation mechanisms, and delivery of tangible outcomes to enhance public service delivery. The sources said that in addition to finalizing the potential candidates, the premier was also once again instructed to review investment portfolios and identify a good number of high profile and strategic projects for investment. The government had engaged the foreign consultancy firm At Kearney to finalize the projects for investment by the Gulf nations.
Express Tribune
28-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, WB boost ties with $40b framework
Listen to article Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, held high-level meetings with World Bank leadership in Washington, marking a major step in advancing the country's development partnership with the global financial institution. In meetings with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations, and Martin Raiser, South Asia Regional Vice President, Cheema praised the strengthened collaboration between Pakistan and the World Bank over the past year. This partnership has culminated in the development of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026-2035 — a ten-year strategy backed by a $40 billion commitment from the World Bank. Cheema thanked the World Bank for its continued support, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods. "As our largest development partner, the World Bank has played an indispensable role in Pakistan's socio-economic progress and improving the lives of our citizens," he stated, while appreciating the leadership of Bjerde and Raiser.
Business Recorder
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank reaffirms commitment to $40bn CPF with Pakistan
Pakistan and the World Bank reaffirmed their development partnership during high-level consultations in Washington, D.C., with both sides committing to the effective implementation of the newly launched $40 billion Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026–2035. The development came during a meeting between Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, during his official visit to the United States, with senior World Bank leadership, read a statement released by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) on Friday. 'In a productive meeting with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for operations, and Martin Raiser, South Asia Regional Vice President, Cheema applauded the strengthened collaboration between Pakistan and the World Bank Group over the past year. 'This enhanced engagement has culminated in the development of the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026-2035, a transformative ten-year strategy backed by an unprecedented $40 billion commitment from the World Bank,' read the statement. World Bank's Benhassine lauds Pakistan's economic turnaround Cheema, during the meeting, expressed deep appreciation for the World Bank's support, particularly during critical challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating 2022 floods. 'As our largest development partner, the World Bank has played an indispensable role in Pakistan's socio-economic progress and improving the lives of our citizens,' stated Cheema. With the CPF now successfully launched, Cheema emphasized the government's complete focus on finalizing a comprehensive implementation framework in collaboration with the World Bank to ensure the strategy delivers its full potential. He welcomed Pakistan's transition to the World Bank's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region under Vice President Ousmane Dione, noting this move will create valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and regional synergy. Meanwhile, in a separate meeting with Abdelhak Bedjaoui, World Bank Executive Director, Cheema acknowledged his effective representation of Pakistan's economic interests. The minister proposed regular visits by executive directors to constituency countries to better understand development needs and opportunities for World Bank engagement. 'The discussions also highlighted recent World Bank approvals, including the $700 million Reko Diq mining project and $400 million Risk Participation Facility, which moved forward despite objections,' read the EAD's statement. Cheema reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to working closely with the World Bank country team to achieve the CPF's ambitious development objectives and transformational impacts.
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PARCO board: Senate body expresses reservations over selection criteria
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Tuesday expressed its serious reservations over appointment of a parliamentarian and former bureaucrat as members of the board of directors of Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO). The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum held its meeting on Tuesday under chairmanship of Umer Farooq which discussed in detail the tenure of managing directors and composition of boards of all oil and gas companies. Member Committee Saadia Abbasi criticised the selection criteria of the board of PARCO which has Federal Minister Senator Ahad Khan Cheema as member and some retired bureaucrats on the board. Senator Saadia Abbasi asked the Minister for Petroleum, 'Can a senator be appointed as a board member if yes than other parliamentarians should also be provide opportunity to become a member of the board to show their ability.' She responded to Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik's statement that the board had been constituted under public limited company Act. He further contended that Ahad Khan was not part of parliament when the board was constituted. However, she insisted that she remembered he was part of interim government at that time. In 2023, Ahad Cheema was appointed as the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Establishment Division following Shehbaz Sharif's appointment as prime minister of Pakistan. He continued to serve in this role during the caretaker government after Shehbaz Sharif's first term ended. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan ordered the caretaker government to remove Cheema from the caretaker cabinet following a petition filed against him. The president of Pakistan approved his removal in December 2023. The tenure of present board of the PARCO has been from May 22, 2023 to May 21, 2026 for a period of three years. She showed her serious reservation on a retired bureaucrat Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan as independent director of the board. She argued that other competent former bureaucrat must have the equal opportunity to serve the board. In ten-member board, Secretary Petroleum Division Momen Agha is chairman, Secretary Finance Division (Ex-officio Director), MD (Executive), AftabHussain, Ahad Khan Cheema, Mohammad Jahanzeb Khan (independent directors), Adnan Omar Mohamad Bu Fateem (Vice Chairman), Zayed Al Mazrouei, Friedrich Danzinger, Muqeet Amin Bawa (Abu Dhabi Petroleum Investments LLC). PARCO is a fully integrated energy company and is one of the largest companies in Pakistan's corporate sector. A Joint Venture between the Government of Pakistan (60 per cent) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (40 per cent), PARCO is a leading energy company incorporated as a public limited company in 1974 through its Mubadala Investment Company. A parliamentary panel on Tuesday recommended the Petroleum Division to carry out audit of the accounts of Oil and Gas Development Company from international renowned international firms as the company is paying Rs 4.5 million per day for a rented oil rig. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
06-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM approves plan to provide youth with industry-relevant skills
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a significant project aimed at providing training programmes to equip the youth with the skills needed in the market and industries. The project will ensure that the training aligns with the needs of the local industries and the demand for skilled labour in global markets. The Prime Minister will personally oversee the implementation of the project and has also decided to chair monthly review meetings. He directed that continuous communication with local industries and international workforce agencies be maintained to ensure the training provided meets market needs. Additionally, a comprehensive database will be created to track the required skills in local industries. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan's talented youth are the country's most valuable asset, and through professional training, they will be empowered and gain employment. Efforts are being made to provide Pakistani youth with international-standard training, aiming to promote the export of skilled labour. Earlier, a review meeting on the National Youth Employment Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, outlined the plan to provide training and employment opportunities for the youth in the next four years. The meeting revealed that 2.4 million to 6 million young people would receive professional training annually, helping them secure jobs. The programme will focus on the skills required by the market and the international workforce demand. The Prime Minister was also informed that the Digital Youth Hub is in its final stages and will be launched this month. The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the relevant ministries and institutions involved in this initiative. Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
