PM Shehbaz Forms Selection Board to Appoint IT Secretary From Private Sector

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a selection board for the appointment of the Secretary of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) from the open market. The five-member selection board will be led by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema. Other members include Minister of State for IT and Telecom Division Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal, Establishment Division Secretary Inamullah Dharejo, and Secretary for Commerce Jawad Paul. The Establishment Division had called for applications from eligible candidates for the position of Secretary of Information and Telecommunications. A shortlisting committee, led by the Additional Secretary Establishment Division, reviewed and shortlisted the candidates. The decision to hire an IT Secretary from the private sector was finalized, and the recruitment advertisement was released in the first week of August. The advertisement outlined that applicants must have a minimum of 20 years of experience in the IT sector, with an upper age limit set at 60 years. The position is offered on a contract basis for two years, with the possibility of extension. The selected candidate will receive a salary under the Special Professional Pay Scale, ranging between Rs. 1.5 to 2 million per month. The move comes as part of the government’s broader strategy to bring in specialized professionals from the private sector to improve the performance of technical ministries. The Senate Standing Committee also took notice of the appointment process and requested a detailed report from the Establishment Division on the selection criteria and procedures. According to sources in the Establishment Division, this decision is aimed at enhancing the technical expertise within the ministry and ensuring more efficient management of its affairs. The hiring of a private sector professional is seen as a step towards better governance and improved service delivery in the IT and Telecommunications sector.