Illegal stay: Mission trade officers serving beyond term
Commerce ministry defends move; says most of them have been asked to stay on till further notice
ISLAMABAD:
Up to five trade officers posted in Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad have not returned despite completing their terms, the lower house of parliament was informed.
According to a list provided by the commerce ministry, 48 trade officers are currently serving in different foreign missions and of them five continue to cling onto their position even after their term has ended.
Deputed by the commerce ministry, the trade officers are required to help increase foreign exchange earnings and promote foreign direct investment. They are expected to identify opportunities for Pakistan’s export sector to ensure that exporters are quickly informed of the potential.
Details presented before the lawmakers reveal that Teepu Muhammad Khan of Pakistan Administrative Services had been deputed in Geneva back in 2008 but continues serve in the diplomatic position beyond the awarded term.
Similarly, Dr Younus Jonaid, another officer hailing from Pakistan Commerce and Trade Group, continues to head Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Istanbul despite completing his term in 2013.
Zafar Hussain, another officer from the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Group, continues to serve as Pakistan’s mission head in Shanghai despite completing his term in September 2013.
Likewise, Tanveer Ahmed Qurreshi, an officer of Pakistan Administrative Service posted in Geneva as Commercial Counselor in 2008, and Ejaz Aslam Dar, who was posted as commercial counselor at Los Angeles in 2009, continue to serve in their positions long after their terms ended.
Defending the deputations which have been tainted by controversy, the commerce ministry said that the officers have been permitted to continue in their positions till further orders.
Interestingly, out of the total 48 trade officers, 25 belong to Punjab, nine hail from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), ten from Sindh and three from Balochistan while Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan have been excluded from the privileged bureaucratic coterie.
The ministry informed the house that the officers are appointed as per the criteria approved by the prime minister in 2005, which involves advertising the vacancies in print media, followed by an evaluation, an interview by the special selection board and finally an approval from the premier’s office.
However, some sources said that most officers sway authorities to secure the choicest positions and also use the concerned quarters in the bureaucracy to extend their term in office.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2014.
Up to five trade officers posted in Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad have not returned despite completing their terms, the lower house of parliament was informed.
According to a list provided by the commerce ministry, 48 trade officers are currently serving in different foreign missions and of them five continue to cling onto their position even after their term has ended.
Deputed by the commerce ministry, the trade officers are required to help increase foreign exchange earnings and promote foreign direct investment. They are expected to identify opportunities for Pakistan’s export sector to ensure that exporters are quickly informed of the potential.
Details presented before the lawmakers reveal that Teepu Muhammad Khan of Pakistan Administrative Services had been deputed in Geneva back in 2008 but continues serve in the diplomatic position beyond the awarded term.
Similarly, Dr Younus Jonaid, another officer hailing from Pakistan Commerce and Trade Group, continues to head Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Istanbul despite completing his term in 2013.
Zafar Hussain, another officer from the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Group, continues to serve as Pakistan’s mission head in Shanghai despite completing his term in September 2013.
Likewise, Tanveer Ahmed Qurreshi, an officer of Pakistan Administrative Service posted in Geneva as Commercial Counselor in 2008, and Ejaz Aslam Dar, who was posted as commercial counselor at Los Angeles in 2009, continue to serve in their positions long after their terms ended.
Defending the deputations which have been tainted by controversy, the commerce ministry said that the officers have been permitted to continue in their positions till further orders.
Interestingly, out of the total 48 trade officers, 25 belong to Punjab, nine hail from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), ten from Sindh and three from Balochistan while Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan have been excluded from the privileged bureaucratic coterie.
The ministry informed the house that the officers are appointed as per the criteria approved by the prime minister in 2005, which involves advertising the vacancies in print media, followed by an evaluation, an interview by the special selection board and finally an approval from the premier’s office.
However, some sources said that most officers sway authorities to secure the choicest positions and also use the concerned quarters in the bureaucracy to extend their term in office.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2014.