KARACHI, July 1: As the world markets open up on the expiry of the Agreement on Textile and Clothing (ATC) on December 31, 2004, countries likely to be affected most are preparing to meet the challenge. Among other things, sources said, Pakistan must consider several important posts that are likely to fall vacant in the ensuing 18 months and the best men to fill them up.

According to the sources, several of the top slots in ministries of commerce and finance would fall vacant at such a crucial time when WTO quota free regime would be around the corner. The world would be witnessing a new era on January 1, 2005 where only those could survive who would hold stronger position over their rivals in term of competitive price and quality or have intelligently penetrated into world market before the Agreement on Textile and Clothing (ATC) expires on December 31, 2004.

With such a situation emerging on global market of $325 billion of textile and clothing the next 18 months would be highly crucial for exporting countries with regard to their share in quota free market starting 2005. However, just six to eight months prior to this period the most important top slots in the ministries of commerce and finance will fall vacant and create a vacuum.

The government would have to consider knowledge, skills and expertise of the persons to fill up those posts. Among the options, the government could decide to continue with the sitting officials if they have the right credentials to ride out the challenges of post December 2004, or more capable persons could be assigned the jobs.

According to official sources, Mr Kamal Afsar who had been recently appointed as secretary commerce is expected to retire in next eight months. This would mean that this most important slot in the ministry of commerce will fall vacant by early next year and create a vacuum at such a crucial time when quota-free era was less than a year away.

This top slot in the ministry of commerce does not only require an experienced person but someone who has acumen because he has to deal with domestic as well as international issues in trade and industry.

If a new person who takes over the helm of affairs of the ministry at this point he would not have sufficient time to pick up the matters because by that time a lot of water would have passed under the bridge.

On completing his three years term, Naseem Qureshi, who deals with WTO matters at Geneva is expected to be called back in September this year. This would mean another vacuum on the international front. Similarly, the economic minister Sulman Ghani in Brussels, who deals with European Union (EU) would also vacate his post in October with the result two experts in their respective fields at international level would go one after another.

It could be anybody’s guess what position Pakistan would be taking in next ministerial WTO meeting being held in Mexico in September this year. There are issues related to agriculture, services, non-agriculture products, tariff position, health sector and law and environment.

But these issues related to WTO need experts whereas the country is fast losing such people who could look into such affairs. On the other hand, India has imposed two years ban on postings and transfers in order to face the WTO quota free regime with full skill and expertise of the people who are already involved and have gained required knowledge and experience.

In another development Naveed Ahsan secretary finance is also going to retire in March or April next year. This would mean that another top slot of an important ministry will fall vacant and a new man will have to pick up things half way because new budget (2004-05) would be couple of months away.

The chairman Central Board of Revenue (CBR) which is yet another important post as far as revenue is concerned is also going to retire in February 2004. The post of additional secretary commerce is lying vacant for the last two months whereas senior joint secretary commerce had been transferred to Establishment Division.

The ministry of industries is no different which is presently run without secretary and additional secretary whereas senior joint secretary has been transferred.