Trade officers’ deputation abroad in limbo

ISLAMABAD: The process of deputing 40 new trade officers in foreign countries has been delayed which is causing agony among candidates.

Sources said the process of deputing trader officers to the foreign countries could not be completed as the controversy started after some of the candidates were declared ineligible for the post even after passing the written test. 

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) also submitted the concerned officers’ data to the Ministry of Trade on September 20.

The government sources said the process for the appointment of trade officers was completed three months ago but the summary could not be forwarded to the prime minister due to the controversy while the already deputed trade officers were given extension.

Sources said the board headed by caretaker trade minister Gohar Ejaz conducted interviews of those candidates who had passed the written test. The summary comprising names of officers will be sent to the prime minister for deputation. The sources said that most of the candidates had failed in the written test as161 out of 262 candidates failed the test while only 101 candidates passed it.

The trade officers will be deputed in Sydney, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Jakarta, Riaz, Washington, London, Kandahar, Tokyo, New Delhi, Bangkok, Washington, Madrid, Jeddah and other stations.