ISLAMABAD: Former federal secretaries have expressed concern over reports of massive transfers of Information Group officers by the caretaker government.

At a meeting chaired by former secretary of information and broadcasting Khawaja Ijaz Sarwar, the participants expressed dismay over reports that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for transfer of officers after the date for general elections has been announced.

The ECP has announced that general election will be held on Feb 8 in the country.

The former bureaucrats observed that on the basis their experience of having served as senior media managers under various governments, including the caretaker set-ups, they could state that it was imperative to have a well-knit and coherent team.

A large-scale reshuffle of officers in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at this stage will only vitiate the atmosphere and create misgivings, they added.

The former secretaries were unanimous in their view that instead of bringing in administrative changes, the caretaker government should focus on assisting the ECP in creating an environment conducive to the smooth conduct of elections.

The meeting urged the election commission to decline the request of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as it would impinge on its image of an independent constitutional body

mandated to hold fair elections in the country.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2023