Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Salman Faruqui will replace Saleem Mahmood as Principal Secretary to the President Asif Ali Zardari, sources in Planning Commission told Business Recorder on Friday. The names of Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali and Mekhal Aziz are being considered for Deputy Chairman of PC.
Asif Ahmed Ali is a former foreign Minister and PPP MNA, whereas Mekhal Aziz is an economist, who worked as Chief Economic Research in Planning Commission and is son of ex-foreign Minister Aziz Ahmed. Faruqui was instrumental in revamping Planning Commission and constituted a number of task forces for improving the development planning of different sectors, sources said.
He proposed establishment of three new wings in the Planning Commission on private sector development, governance and administrative reforms headed by full-time members, who will be eminent professionals. He has proposed introduction of annual audit of major projects to ensure effective implementation, sources added. Meanwhile, Saleem Mahmood has been appointed as Secretary Petroleum. G.A. Sabri who was working as Additional Secretary was holding the charge of acting Secretary Petroleum in the absence of Saleem.