ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has appointed his son-in-law Raja Azeemul Haq to the prestigious post of Executive Director (ED) of the World Bank in Washington.
Official sources said that Ashraf appointed his son-in-law to the post by using his discretionary powers.
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Shafqit Jalil told The Express Tribune that the premier approved the summary for appointing Raja Azeem as the executive director of the World Bank, adding that there was nothing unusual about the move.
The decision was taken despite resistance shown by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who tried to convince the premier to change his decision.
Officials said that the finance minister told the premier that his son-in-law was “junior” for such an important position. The official added that the concerned people could not resist the move beyond a certain point and the premier eventually put his foot down.
Furthermore, Economic Affairs Division (EAD), the department which was asked to formally move the summary by the prime minister’s Principal Secretary Ayub Qazi, also opposed the move. The department suggested that a head-hunting committee or selection board should be formulated under the Establishment Division to select a suitable candidate.
Competency of the candidate
Raja Azeem is currently serving in the PM Secretariat as the additional secretary on a grade 21 post, a position that a civil servant usually gets after serving for two to three decades.
Raja Azeem allegedly got ‘out of turn’ promotions. Belonging to the Income Tax Group, he was inducted in the Employees Old-age Benefit Institution in BPS-20 and then was promoted to BPS-21.
ED’s responsibilities
The ED gets an annual salary of $220,000 (roughly Rs21 million) and is appointed for a three-year-period. Currently, Javed Talat, a former career bureaucrat, is serving as the ED. Posted in November 2008, Talat was on extension till further orders.
The ED represents constituency of seven nations on the World Bank’s Board. The constituency comprises Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana and Algeria. The ED and Alternate Executive Director (AED) rotate between Pakistan and Algeria after every two years.
The job of the ED and AED is to defend development projects of all seven countries on the WB Board, providing input on macroeconomic reports relating to the constituent countries, giving opinions on global economic issues and defending the quotas and voting rights of the constituency. The ED or AED is also supposed to establish contacts with executive directors of the United States, China, Japan, France, Germany and the EU constituency to protect Islamabad’s interests.
The appointment requires endorsement from other constituent countries and, according to an official of the finance ministry, the World Bank too has its own system to ensure merit before confirming such appointments.
Furthermore, the appointment requires endorsement of the finance ministers of the constituent countries and any member can object to the appointment due to a candidate’s incompetency.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2012.
COMMENTS (100)
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The real issue here is that of language. It is stated that the PM used his discretionary powers (DP) to appoint his SIL. Judging by this action and numerous other application of DPs by elected and unelected officials it would seem that the accepted definition of DP prevalent, is the ability to do whatever you like without fear of consequence or accountability.
Whereas, any self respecting dictionary, in this case, Merriam-Webster, defines discretion as follows: 1: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment : the quality of being discreet : circumspection; especially : cautious reserve in speech 2: ability to make responsible decisions 3: a : individual choice or judgment b : power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal bounds 4: the result of separating or distinguishing
Something has clearly been lost in translation or interpretation somewhere.
The present lot of politicians have placed Pakistan for Sale in the open market to the highest bidder!!!
@ishrat salim: "Kamran Shafi, Mirza Sb & the likes will never comment on such issues…." . @ishrat salim: these gentleman too want bread on the table.
@Amin Khan you sound like CM Raisani :)
@sattar rind: "what is new in it? primary teachers serving as depty commisioner in sindh …how they get deputation and how they get promotion ? no one knows… " . My faith in the humankind has been restored. There is something called andheyr nagri chaupat raaj.
what is new in it? primary teachers serving as depty commisioner in sindh ...how they get deputation and how they get promotion ? no one knows...
Like his predecessor Gillani, Raja Rental too will soon be facing NAB and Courts for illegal appointments by killing merit.
@Amin Khan:
Being a CSP officer of even grade 22 does not provide any guarantee that he would be a competent man. Rather competency based knowledge, procedural understanding and hands-on experience are the utmost important elements for such positions. I have seen so many stupids working in public sector development position in my professional life and later knew that majority of them belonged to CSP cadre...If one does not know something, CSP title is gonna make nothing out of it.....
@Thor: Jiyay Bhutto
@Thor: "“Make hay, while the sun shines”" . Correction please: . “Make hay, while the son-in-law shines”
I dont think this is any problem all apppointments above 20 grade is mostly political be it civil or army, secondly he is css officer and he must be having competeny, thirdly nepotism and favourism is common among us and this is no exception
I would like to share with fellow readers the meaning of the word nepotism:
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit.[1] The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis (m. "nephew")," "favoritism (as in appointment to a job) based on kinship"
As an ordinary Pakistani, I hang my head in shame at this odious and disgraceful behavior.
Very smart move. He would out on street in few months but has made the government his SIL a dowry of about USD 8 millions + perks.
Very well done Mr. Prime Minister, you have now earned the right of having your name appear in the Gunnies Book of world records. Keep up your good work. "UNDHA BANTEY REURIAN UPNO UPNO KO DEY. You have done nothing wrong, simply behaved the way the ruling elite behaves in Pakistan.
@Harry for PTI ... Dream on & on & on ...
@Usman:
One can anticipate kamran shafi's response : even the most corrupt and anarchic democracy is better than the most honest and competent dictatorship . Mulla's don't have monoply over dogmatic thinking .
@abid: Try to be a son in law, if you cannot become a son in law, what else can you do?
Well Deserved! :/
So, what're his qualifications? Is he a trained economist? I feel sorry for the people of Pakistan.
@Ghani: I do agree with the Ghani, he is following the footsteps of 3rd Caliph RA. Any problem with all, who are critizing the person, who is true follower of Right Caliph.
This posting to the world bank alongwith other similar lucrative postings like at the Asian Development Bank, trade Ministers at London and Washington and ambassador at Geneva have always been reserved for political favourites and mediocres. Merit is not part of our social fabric. Why is this commotion about PM's son-in-law please check the history of these postings and other postings.........please investigate a little before writing....OR may be somebody's favourite has lost out this time and news is engineered ....Iqbal Ahmad
@meekal a ahmed: Certainly Sir, you are alright. We also find nothing in the captioned person's file. Whether anyone think that it is written anywhere in his file that he is son in law of Prime Minister. We all are living in the Pakistan, and know the culture how the nominations/appointments are made on hifi posts.
@Jehangir: ARE 70% PEOPLE VOTE BY CULTURE,
@Usman: This decision is poor and should be revered but let's hear your explanation about the SC refusing examination of its accounts by the PAC or investigation by FIA or NAB stopped against Arsalan? Think about issues, not who is involved!!!!!
@Antebellum: who vetos this ,they all are thief and son of b,no shame and care about them self. ALLAH HELP US,TIME S COMMONG FOR THEM SOON ,PEOPLE WILL HANG THOSE S/B SOON.
This is not the first time, nor is it the last time that such a thing has happened. This, too, is corruption of the highest kind. Corruptistan zindabad!
Has Pakistan an alternative? If ot why complain, any one should be better than the Asian American chief who is certainly not the expert. Clever guy this Prime minister of yours.Any oe from the devolping world is qualified to receive the funds for local projects.
Rex Minor
@Usman: Brother, let me explain this to you. What our PM is doing just following the footsteps of our third Khalifa-e-Rashid, Hazrat Usman (R.A), who appointed his son-in-law, Marwan bin Hakam as his Chief Secretary. I hope this clarifies PM's point of view!
@sgrr:
Generally, the Executive Director is the one who selects people to serve in his office but he will allow the country authorities some input.
I do not want to make this personal but since others have, here is my answer: please go check the file in the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance where the complete background to my selection can be examined. Tell them I sent you.
But most importantly I would like to think I was qualified for the position, unlike the others we are talking about here. They probably don't know the difference between the Bank and the Fund.
As I have said before, putting unqualified and incompetent people in a small office with a high and demanding work-load (the Board meets five times a week and they can be five items on the agenda in a single day), can have devastating negative consequences. You cannot have dead-beats walking around in a trance making no contribution to the work of the office while making a salary of six figures a year, tax free.
I have said in my number of comments again I write for viewers"This is the only un fortunate country of the world whose"elders" are cheats,do not feel ashamed breaking any limit bestowed upon them.
What is the IQ of prime minister? Does he take any drugs on continuous basis that his intelligence has gone down? Does he drink? Because alocholics run into same kind of problem. I mean to say lack of judgement. Or it could be called. Plain old stupidity.
N Problem, Bhutto Zinda Hay
Well, what do you expect from the Raja of Pakistan!
Andha bantay revreyan apno hi ko de.
Additional Secretary is not junior for Executive Director post. It is joint secretary's post, though senior officials have often grabbed it because of the salary that goes with it.
PM's nominee does't have the right experience, unlike previous EDs. He has to be an officer with long background of Finance and EAD at policy level.
Raja Sb I am a master degree holder in your constituency looking for job for 2 years, currently working as a shop assistant for 4000/per month. Is there any chance i can have proper job??
I can't wait for Imran Khan to come in and fix the mess these idiots have left. I have zero expectation out of this government.
what else one can expect from a ppp Jiala
Born to Gujrati migrants to Karachi, what was Pakistan's sauve, 'more English than the English' founder thinking when he campaigned for a separate homeland for these rogues who have a 2000 plus year old history of loyalty to no homeland; serving as serfs to whoever invaded their lands.
Where are opposition parties, Imran Khan (TOOFANI) and other Critics/Journalists?
Raja Pervez Ashraf and his family has given a lot of
QURBANISfor the sake ofDEMOCRACYin this country, therefore, his son-in-law deserves this posting. Eighteen carore people of Pakistan love both of them by heart.nepotism,against the democratic and islamic values. selfish-rulers have always greedy frriends and relatives. shame democracy is being over soon.
We all should respect our prime minister and back his decisions. No need to get so hyped up. Lets not forget that we were the ones who elected him.
I wish my father was PM too. Alas
And thats how you murder "Merit"
What a decision on pure merit !! All hail the PM
@Usman:
Kamran Shafi, Mirza Sb & the likes will never comment on such issues.....they can only criticize & bash our Armed forces & judiciary.......
Cabinet Secreatry Nargis Sethi's husband is posted to IMF. Now, Raja saheb has followed suit. So, what is the fuss about ? !!
@Sharjeel Jawaid Jawaid: Sir, it's not us who is reaping anything, we are just the dumb spectators. No reaping, no tasting just carrying it for them like donkeys.
Even though opposed by the Finance minister & EAD; yet the PM ( who himself is accused in RPP case - this can happen only in Pakistan )....approved his SIL appointment as ED in WB...this can happen only in Pakistan...
He is a CSP officer. So I guess he is qualified for this post. Being junior doesnt imply you cant be eligible. All appointments are political - so cant understand the fuss.
Is this is the same guy who was addressing like "Alhamdulilah Motrama aaj duniya mai nhe hain" lolz
Pakistan is a meritocracy ++++++++++++++++++ Let no one doubt that.
DEMOCRACY is the best revenge....long live bureaucracy
After all we are supposed to reap the fruits of democracy.
The post is a political posts and Mr. Meekal who also served one of like post in past knows better, how the appointments are made over there, and how to be nominated from here. May be his relationship was not disclosed by media at that time as media was not so independent at that time.
@meekal a ahmed: Ok, if you are such a well informed person, what do you suggest we do about this rubbish that is going on with Pakistan?
@Umair: I condemn the appoinmtnet .But will take hudreds of such if we can avoid one Musharraf. By the way who appointed Musharraf and who kept giving him extensions?So to appoint himself and ward himself un limited extenions is somehow better than appointing relatives?Come on give me a break.
Karachi is shutdown today and for ET it is not a worthy news....why?
Wrong decision by a WORN PERSON
So the establishment wants their own person at the prestigeous post.
"To victors belongs spoil" Andrew Jackson.
DeMOCKracy is the best revenge.
Pakistan has kingdom and not democracy.
Every one either he or she sits on the treasury or opposition benches is a King or a Queen, but with the change of the governments, these Kings and Queens are changed from time to time.
People of Pakistan are in search of democracy which is far from their imagination.
Democarcy in Pakistan will only come when the government will be run by the middle and working class people and NOT by those political leaders who have their own kingdoms which are their constituencies.
I am think as what will happen when "All the Kings Horses And All The Kings Men Will Not Be Able To Put Humpty Dumpty Together Again"?
Come on Raja Sahab, act and behave like PM of Pakistan not like the PM of Raja clan.
This one is for the media. As it keeps clocking more advertisements. Democracy is what the media loves.
Waiting for the Mirzas and the Kamran Shafis of the world to comment on this.
@Usman:
And Mirza Saheb....
The WB has not raised any objection?
this news was broken by ET many months ago. Why not discussed on elec media to expose things done in good faith like ex Pm Gilani.
Lolz.. And the Pakistanis claim CSS is the most transparent way of getting success!!
The Raja PM obviously thinks he is living in the 19th century, where he can first get away with false promises on ending load shedding, and then appoint an undeserving family member to a lucrative position.
So, what new? !! The more things change, the more they remain the same .
I love democracy :)
This is un-acceptable and the limit. It seems the PM of Pakistan think they are demi gods and can do what ever and get away with it. This is the hight of bad governance.
all what ashraf did was very much expected .. but do we have processes/SOPs in place to hold pm accountable in parliament/courts for such erroneous performance?
Don't be surprised, we deserve it !!!!!!
No one will Veto this. When our own 'elected' officials don't take any of this serious, why would any other country bother?
Did you not know - to these people, being in Pakistani government is just a quicker way to earn billions of dollars (which is safer and easier than robbing banks). And of course, we deserve to have such people run our country - after all, our masses elected them.
Banksters and their favors on our leaders while we are pushed deeper into debt.
Shame on us for keeping such low life characters as our leaders. Please vote for change. Vote for betterment of our great country. Vote for PTI.
Long live democracy. None of this happened under Mushrraf.
Simply disgusting and reprehensible. REVERSE THIS DECISION IMMEDIATELY. This is the HEIGHT of conflict of interest.
You forgot to add a supplemental allowance of around $180,000 thati s paid annually to exective director to cover expenses
Appointment of close relatives is best avoided, as it is likely to draw criticism, no matter what the merit. Surely in Pakistan there are many candidates available on merit for the job. If the selection was made from many meritorious candidates, the media will do well to publish details of the selection procedure- if any was followed. Selecting the son-in-law an merit may or may not be defencsible, but out right appointment surely needs analysis.
Lets see Kamran Shafi try to explain this one.
Has PM even thought about the embarrassment it would bring to the country when bureaucrats from World Bank and other countries will turn down this appointment?
Well Deserved! :)
Hope someone (/country) vetos this.
Stop referring to this puppet of a 'Prime Minister' as 'premier'.
our PM is smart enough to understand that the other countries will oppose his SIL's appointment and PM gets brownie points from his wife and daughter for looking out for the family.. so happy end for everyone.... ohh right, i forgot about rules, ethics and morality...