ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has appointed Dr Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission for next three years after his retirement on August 1 (today).

Dr Khan, an officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, was appointed to the commission as its deputy chairman on August 3, 2019.

He was given the sought-after post owing to his experience as development professional in various institutions.

According to an official notification, Dr Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, a BS-22 officer, upon reaching superannuation was appointed and posted as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission for a period of three years from August 2, 2020.

The post was reverted to a federal secretary last year after a gap of 23 years.

The Planning Commission is a financial and public policy development institution that comes under the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms. The commission in tandem with the Ministry of Finance undertakes research studies and state policy development initiatives for the growth of the national economy and the expansion of the public and state infrastructure of the country.

Since 1952, the Planning Commission has had a major influence and role in formulating the highly centralised five-year plans for the national economy during most of the 20th century. Although five-year plans were replaced by medium-term development framework, the commission still plays an influential and central role in the development programme. The Public Sector Development Programme also comes under the domain of the Planning Commission, which is led by the prime minister as chairman.

Dr Khan brings with him a decade-long experience as development professional and practitioner prior to his appointment as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission. He worked for eight years in planning and development departments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including as chairman, Planning and Development Board, Punjab.

He also served as Punjab finance secretary and additional chief secretary for energy. A diverse portfolio of programmes and projects, economic growth plans, investment and business promotion schemes, large power plants, highways, barrages and canals, specialised hospitals, safe city, ICT, universities, agricultural transformation and industrial development have been implemented under his watch.

He has been closely associated with China Pakistan Economic Corridor since its inception. His comprehension of CPEC processes and modalities, both on Chinese and Pakistani sides, is well established.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2020