Taking notice: Education Secretary Ahsan Raja made OSD

Imtiaz Tajwar takes charge in his place

ISLAMABAD: The prime minister on Wednesday issued orders making Federal Education Secretary Muhammad Ahsan Raja an officer on special duty (OSD) based on his performance in office and after several complaints were lodged against him.

Interestingly, the secretary was handpicked by State Minister Baligur Rehman in February 2014 to replace Qamar Chaudhry, the incumbent National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief.

Raja turned out to be a “tough” officer and at times reprimanded staff on issues of “minor importance”, said officials who were working under him.

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training received the notification on Wednesday.

Rumours abound for months that inquiries were being held against him, including a check on why officers under him were frequently being transferred.

Since then one additional secretary, four joint secretaries, two deputy secretaries, three section officers and a research officer have left the ministry. At least six officers also submitted transfer requests.

Ministry staffers heaved a sigh of relief on learning of the change in command. “It is good news for us and other officers who were humiliated and insulted every other day over trivial matters,” commented an officer who asked not to be named.

Raja has been told to report to the Establishment Division, while executive director (ED) of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTEC) Imtiaz Tajwar has been nominated as the new secretary education.

Balighur Rehman termed the posting a routine matter denying having received any complaints about Raja.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2015.