ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: Economic Affairs Division Secretary Khalid Saeed has been appointed principal secretary to the prime minister in a top bureaucracy reshuffle prompted by premature retirement of the incumbent principal secretary, according to official sources.

Mr Saeed replaces Javed Sadiq Malik as principal secretary to the prime minister which is one of the most prized appointments in the country’s civil bureaucracy.

Mr Malik was appointed principal secretary by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on October 31, 2004.

A District Management Group officer, Mr Malik was known for his loyalty to Prime Minister Aziz even before his posting as the principal secretary.

Sources said several parliamentarians complained to the prime minister against Mr Malik’s attitude.

His appointment for the post had surprised many because he apparently lacked the charisma required for the important position.

He was not available for comments when contacted.

Establishment Secretary Tariq Bokhari refused to comment saying he, as a matter of principle, did not speak to the media. Mr Saeed is said to be a seasoned, sharp and energetic officer.

Planning Division Secretary M. Akram Malik replaces Mr Saeed as the secretary of the economic affairs division. Ziaur Rehman of the ports and shipping ministry has been made planning division secretary.

Communications Secretary Tariq Mehmood was handed over additional charge of ports and shipping.

Grade 20 police officer Mian Baz Afridi was also retired. At present he was OSD at the establishment division.

Sources say another round of shake up in the bureaucracy is in the offing.