ISLAMABAD: The controversy surrounding the endorsement of two contentious bills has intensified as the individual chosen by President Arif Alvi declined to serve as his principal secretary, according to a report by The News on Tuesday.
On Monday, President Alvi formally requested the Prime Minister’s Office to replace Waqar Ahmed, his current principal secretary, with Humaira Ahmad, a grade-22 DMG officer who presently holds the position of federal secretary in the national heritage and culture division.
A day after President Alvi’s surprising revelation about not having signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the President’s Secretariat announced that Waqar Ahmed’s services were no longer needed and were relinquished to the Establishment Division immediately.
In a subsequent letter addressed to the principal secretary to the Prime Minister (PSPM), Dr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, it was formally requested to replace Waqar Ahmed with Humaira Ahmad — a grade-22 DMG officer.
Humaira had previously served as PSPr but opted to leave the position at her own request. She was later posted as the federal secretary of science and technology before being transferred to the national heritage division.
In the midst of this, sources have indicated that any transfers or appointments would require the approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) following the dissolution of the assemblies.
A series of significant transfers and appointments, which took place three days prior, included changes in chief secretaries of various provinces and a major reshuffling of federal secretaries. This reshuffling led to the reassignment of approximately six senior officers, who were directed to report to the Establishment Division.