ISLAMABAD: The government has appointed former secretary finance, Dr Waqar Masood Khan, as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue with the status of Minister of State, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

A brief note issued by the PM's Office Monday said, "Dr Waqar Masood Khan has been appointed as SAPM for Revenue with the status of MOS". On July 27, 2020, Waqar Masood was appointed head of the newly-created "Subsidies Cell" to make the allocated subsidies for various sectors targeted. A circular issued in this effect by the Finance Division stated that the prime minister had appointed Dr Masood as head of the "Subsidies Cell" in the Ministry of Finance, and he would work on an honorary basis.

The concerned officers from the Ministry of Finance and from all other ministries/divisions dealing with the subject of subsidies were directed to provide all necessary assistance to the "Subsidies Cell".

The prime minister wanted review of the entire subsidy system to ensure that it reaches the deserving through a transparent system, and wanted his economic team to take benefit from the Ehsaas Programme data to provide subsidy to the poor and needy people on electricity and gas as well as from the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

Sources in the Finance Ministry said there were leakages to ensure that allocated subsides reached the people in need.

However, it remains unclear as to who would be heading the "Subsidies Cell".

This correspondent tried to contact the former finance secretary to know whether he would also be heading the "subsidies cell" as well or someone else would be assigned the job but was unable to reach him.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020