PM Nasirul Mulk appoints four provincial secretaries, replaces IGs

ECP likely to meet tomorrow to discuss security measures for the forthcoming general elections

ISLAMABAD: The federal caretaker cabinet moved on Wednesday to appoint new chief secretaries and inspectors-general of police (IGPs) in all provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory.

The decision comes a day after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed the secretary establishment division to appoint the same.

The cabinet meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, was presided over by caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk.

According to the PM secretariat, the move was a precursor for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in the country and it was done in consultation with the ECP and provincial governments.



In a related move, the ECP summoned the new IGPs and chief secretaries for a meeting on matters relating to security before and during the general election on Thursday (today).

Akbar Hussain Durrani has been appointed as the chief secretary Punjab. He previously served as the federal secretary education.

Naveed Kamran Baloch was appointed as the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was earlier serving as the secretary of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

Azam Suleman Khan was appointed as the chief secretary of Sindh while Akhtar Nazeer will be the new chief secretary of Balochistan.

IGs

Kaleem Imam has been appointed Punjab IGP. He was awaiting posting in Establishment Division. Muhammad Tahir, a BS-21 officer from Punjab has been approved as IG KP. National Highways and Motorways Police chief Amjad Javed Saleemi has been appointed as IG Sindh. Mohsin Hassan Butt was appointed as the police chief in Balochistan. He was previously serving in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta).

Another officer Jan Muhammad, also transferred from Nacta, was appointed as the IG of Islamabad Capital Territory.

Arif Nawaz Khan, who was serving as the IG Punjab, has been asked to report back to the establishment division.



In a notification, the establishment division directed incumbent IG Sindh AD Khawaja to report back. Similarly, IG KP Salahuddin was also notified to report to the division.

Similar orders were also issued for IGs of ICT and Balochistan.

The second phase of bureaucratic reshuffle will start with transfers and postings of federal and provincial secretaries and subsequently commissioners and deputy commissioners and district police officers (DPOs) will be transferred and posted.

ECP is likely to issue notifications to its federal and provincial offices soon.

The meeting was also attended by caretaker Chief Ministers of Punjab Hasan Askari Rizvi, Sindh Fazlur Rehman, KP Dost Mohammad Khan and Balochistan Alauddin Mari and Interior Minister Mohammad Azam Khan.