Bhutta new power secretary; Rasul made OSD

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday removed Secretary Power Division, Omar Rasul.

According to an official notification, Ali Raza Bhutta, a BS-22 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service, presently posted as Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, has been transferred and posted as Secretary Power Division. The sources said, last week, a disgruntled Secretary Power Division Rasul left the Ministry in the middle of a pre-PAC meeting and did not return till Monday .

The sources said Rasul had submitted in writing to the Establishment Division that he cannot continue to work in the present circumstances.

"Law Ministry confirmed that Secretary Power has submitted a written statement in this regard. However, back channels were used to convince him to withdraw the letter, but he refused" the sources added.

Rasul has been made an OSD and directed to report to the Establishment Division with immediate effect.

Presently, the Power Division, is receiving directions from six or seven "official and unofficial" individuals and the Ministry staff is upset at the current situation, the sources said, adding that most of the senior officials want to transfer from the Power Division. Former Secretary, Irfan Ali, who was made an OSD due to "unexplained" reasons is still being denied posting with his retirement due in the next 7 or 8 months. His summaries for posting are being repeatedly rejected.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020