SC moved against Ahsan Iqbal over chief economist’s appointment

ISLAMABAD: The Planning Commission’s Joint Chief Economist has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar alleging that the Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, had illegally appointed his relative Dr Nadeem Javed as Chief Economist in BS-22 with MP-1 scale in violation of rules.

“In view of the best public interest, we request the CJ to take a stern action against the culprits, rule violators and misuse of power and authority for their ill-motives,” Joint Chief Economist Dr Ali Bat Khan said in his letter, a copy of which is available with The News. Mr. Khan also alleged that Ahsan Iqbal had also retained over 70-year-old Asif Sheikh as Adviser Development Budget on contract in violation of the rules.

The letter came to surface when the chief justice recently gave remarks against Ahsan Iqbal about the appointment of a vice chancellor, after which the minister responded against him in a public talk.

In his letter, Mr. Khan, who is also President Economists Group, said the Planning Commission is an apex body meant to plan for growth of the economy, balanced development and regional equity.

“A professional service i.e. ‘Economist Group’ has been established to carry out its functions laid down in the rules of business. The senior most position of BS-22 of the Economist Group is ‘Chief Economist’ of Pakistan which is filled onmerit from the regular senior most cadre officers of the Group as per rules.

Unfortunately, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal has illegally appointed his inexperienced, immature relative Dr Nadeem Javed from outside the Economist Group as Chief Economist on contract in the Ministry of Planning in violation of all rules, contrary to appointing on merit a senior most experienced and regular cadre government officer”, the letter states.

However, sources said rules have not been compromised in the appointment of chief economist, as the planning ministry had curtailed the required experience from 21 years to 15 years with the federal cabinet’s approval. But the letter took the stance that the important position of chief economist was first kept vacant by not sending a panel of eligible BS-21 officer i.e. Joint Chief Economist for consideration by the high-powered Selection Board and promotion to BS-22 as Chief Economist for the ill motives. Then Dr Nadeem Javed was appointed illegally and posted directly as Chief Economist in violation of the rules. He is still working as Chief Economist and meanwhile several eligible experienced officers have been retired without promotion, while others waiting or struggling for their rights have been sidelined.

Not only the chief economist, but Ahsan Iqbal has also retained Asif Sheikh on contract as adviser development budget despite the fact that he‘s above 70. Mr. Khan said he had already approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for relief with proof vide writ petition number 4203/17. He alleged that it s was done to avoid the Economists Group’s advice and take important decisions of the minister’s choice with regard to the CPEC, mega projects of energy, NHA, and metro bus project etc.

He further alleged that Dr Nadeem Javed and Asif Sheikh are facilitating the minister and other politicians in the government to carry out unviable and luxurious projects. When the Planning Commission’s spokesman was contacted for comments on Tuesday, he said all the appointments were made on merit and in accordance with rules and proof to this effect could be produced at any relevant forum.

When contacted, Ahsan Iqbal said the chief economist is not even a distant relative of him. “He was selected by a committee and has been serving for almost four years. He was selected for another very rewarding assignment but Sartaj Aziz Sahib didn’t relieve him, which speaks for his merit.

He has been teaching economics at MUMS and KSBL, which are the country’s top business schools. It’s unfortunate that just to get promotion this guy has resorted to such cheap tactics,” Ahsan said.