ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The government has decided in principle to appoint Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal as federal secretary of information.

The decision is expected to be announced next week, sources at the prime minister secretariat told Dawn. However, they said, one camp in the prime minister secretariat, who does not want his appointment at this position, is opposing the decision.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani made a telephone call to Mr Gondal on Saturday, indicating that he had been chosen for the job.

Mr Gondal, senior joint secretary in BPS-21 at the ministry of minority affairs, is retiring on Oct 27, but is expected to be rehired as top media manager of the country.

He has thrice worked as principal information officer on different occasions.