ISLAMABAD, July 13: Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis is finalizing the list of 17 officers to be posted in foreign missions as community welfare attaches. The ministry had earlier held tests for the positions which were taken by civil servants from different services groups. These attaches are to be posted in countries in Europe, Middle East and South-East Asia.

An important aspect of these tests were that they were participated by women officials for the first time with an expectation that the government would stick to its policy of gender equality besides the 10 per cent quota for women.

Nevertheless, there have been certain apprehensions among the aspiring women officials if they would ever make to the final list, because of certain vibes coming out from the quarters concerned that their male counterparts may get preference in the final selection.

However, the Establishment Division sources maintain that the concerns regarding postings of women officials were being taken care of and the government policy of gender equality would be observed.

Meanwhile, reshuffling in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued on Wednesday with several other officials transferred.

A number of other changes in the ministry were made a day earlier including replacement of official spokesman Jalil Abbas Jillani with Mohammad Naeem Khan.

Humaira Hassan, returning from Staff College Course, has been appointed as director-general (Middle East) in place of Mohammad Akhtar Tufail, who would in turn be replacing director- general (Americas) A.B.K. Babar, who is proceeding on an ambassadorial assignment.

Murad Ali on his return from his overseas posting would take over the charge of the office of director-general (audit and accounts) replacing Abdul Hamid who has been posted as consul- general in Dubai.

Syed Ibne Abbas, currently holding the charge of director Kashmir Affairs, has been made acting director-general (South Asia) in place of Jalil Abbas Jillani who is proceeding for National Defence College course.

Mohsin Razi, director Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, would be the acting director-general (Europe) in place of Naela Chohan who has proceeded on medical leave. Ms Chohan was posted as director-general (Europe) on Tuesday in place of Sohail Amin, who has already taken up the office of ambassador to Nepal.