Naqvi made new TCP chief

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has replaced Chairman Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), S. Anjum Bashir with Syed Tahir Raza Naqvi, a BS 21 officer of District Management Group (DMG).
Naqvi joined government service in 1983 and served in various important positions in federal and provincial governments which included assignments like Secretary to Government of Punjab in Industries, Commerce and Investment and Food Departments, Member (Admn) Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad as well as posted as Commercial Counsellor, Bangkok.
However, the timing of the appointment of Naqvi who, according to informed sources, hails from Multan, the hometown of the Prime Minister, coincides with TCP's active engagement in urea import and just a day before the opening of urea tenders. Earlier reports suggested that Naqvi was one of the key candidates for the slot of President Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) after Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf was appointed as Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "Naqvi is from Multan and his father was a PCS officer," said a District Management Group Officer on condition of anonymity.
Sheikh Anjum Bashir, a BS 21 officer is now posted as Director General National Accreditation Council. According to an official announcement, Syed Tahir Raza Naqvi assumed charge of the office of Chairman TCP on Friday. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Naqvi was already in Karachi and as he was officially informed about his new posting he rushed to TCP office to assume charge without wasting a single moment.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister directed TCP to import 0.7 million tons of urea for timely provision during Rabi season, However, this directive was unnecessary given that ECC had already decided to import 0.7 million tons of urea for Rabi for which gallop tenders were floated recently.
Sources revealed that Minister for Industries, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi made serious efforts to give urea import task to National Fertiliser Corporation (NFC), a proposal resisted by ousted TCP Chairman Anjum Bashir at a recent meeting held at the Prime Minister's secretariat. Elahi wanted to give import and distribution jobs to NFC and NFML, which are subsidiaries of Industries Ministry. However, critics argue that the former Punjab Chief Minister wanted to employ urea as a tool against his political opponents.