Autonomous bodies, organisations: Cabinet seeks comprehensive plan from ED to fill vacant slots

The Federal Cabinet has sought a comprehensive plan from Establishment Division to fill vacant slots in autonomous bodies and organisations falling under the administrative control of different Ministries/Divisions within two weeks, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.
These directions were issued by the cabinet while approving additional charge of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) in favour of Abdul Jabbar Shaheen, Additional Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production.
The sources said, the Federal Cabinet had approved additional charge of CEO EPZA in favour of Abdul Jabbar Shaheen , Additional Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production for a period of three months, valid till February 28, 2019 with directions to submit the proposal of a regular Chairman, EPZA within two months.
The Federal Cabinet was briefed on May 7, 2019 that the MoI&P in consultation with the Establishment Division had proposed a panel of three candidates for posting/appointment as Chairman, EPZA whereupon, the prime minister's office desired a fresh panel comprising BS-22/ senior officers of BS-21 for this slot. In response to the directions, Ministry of Industries and Production submitted a fresh panel of three officers for Chairman EPZA. Simultaneously, a summary for extension in additional charge to Abdul Jabbar Saheen, Additional Secretary MoI&P for this slot was also initiated which was approved by the Prime Minister's office for a period of one month effective from March 1, 2019.
In order to highlight the urgency to fill the vacancy, Ministry of Industries and Production, in a letter of February 20, 2019, requested the Secretary to Prime Minister for posting of Chairman, EPZA to transact regular business of the organization.
It was further revealed that recently Establishment Division in Office Memorandum (OM) of March 28, 2019 issued fresh guidelines for the selection procedure of head of organizations that also apply to EPZA, and provide an advertisement in newspapers, formulate job description and constitute a selection committee. Ministry of Industries and Production has initiated the process, the completion of which, in line with the new guidelines, may take some time.
In view of the urgency in the matter, it was proposed that additional charge of Abdul Jabbar Shaheen, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production for the post of Chairman, EPZA may be extended for a period of three months or till the appointment of a regular incumbent, whichever is earlier.
The cabinet approved the proposal of Ministry of Industries and Production with respect to extension in additional charge to Abdul Jabbar Shaheen.
The Federal Cabinet further directed Ministries/Divisions to take all necessary steps to fill vacant positions in respect of Authorities/Autonomous bodies, in the prescribed manner, within three months; no additional charge will be entrusted to any officer beyond that time limit.
The federal cabinet further directed that as for regular assignments in the Ministries/Divisions, Establishment Division shall come up with a comprehensive plan to fill vacant slots on priority. Such plan will also be shared with Prime Minister's Office for further fine-tuning within two weeks.