Controversy hits posting of trade officers abroad

Controversy hit the process of posting 51 trade officers at the Pakistani missions abroad as the Commerce Ministry rejected 150 applications and postponed the written test of the candidates for one week, it was learnt on Monday.

The ministry had proposed to post 16 trade officers abroad during the current quarter, while 35 more trade officers were to be posted in the last quarter of 2022. The ministry had approved applications of 300 candidates for the written test.

According to sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the ministry to make the appointment process transparent and on merit. However, the process became controversial as the ministry rejected nearly 150 applications.

The ministry also turned down the request of 26 officers of the audit and accounts department. The sources said that a large number of applications from the private sector had also been rejected. They added that some audit and accounts officers had started approaching the court.

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Trade officers will be posted abroad for 3 years. There are 11 posts in Grade 20, 27 in Grade 19 and 13 in Grade 18. Besides there is 20% quota for the private sector and the overseas Pakistanis. So far, the ministry approved 300 candidates for the written test.

The written test of the candidates will be conducted by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and the successful candidates will be interviewed by a board, headed by a trade adviser. After the interviews, the recommendations will be forwarded to the prime minister for approval.

The Express Tribune tried to contact the joint secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, but he could not be reached.