KARACHI, Aug 7: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has delegated powers of transfers and postings of up to BS-18 officers belonging to the Sindh Education and Literacy Department (except college education) to the education secretary.

A formal notification was issued on Tuesday through which the chief minister delegated most of his powers, which he had acquired by clipping the wings of Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro some five weeks ago, to Education Secretary Sabhago Khan Jatoi.

Sources said that besides transfers and postings of the officials up to BS-18, now the education secretary could also make decisions on planning, promotions, increments, utilisation of funds, etc.

Mr Jatoi confirmed that the powers had been delegated to him with immediate effect. The official said that the chief minister had the authority to delegate such powers to a secretary of a particular department under the rules of business of the government of Sindh.

However, officials believed that the secretary had become a fully-fledged minister except for college education as it was the only area still under Dr Khuhro’s authority.

According to sources in the provincial government, Dr Arbab had taken the decision due to his hectic schedule as chief minister and president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League in Sindh. Besides, Dr Rahim was also looking after the Land Utilisation Department, the major segment of the revenue department, which he had acquired after removing Imtiaz Shaikh from his cabinet two years ago, they added.

Insiders said that the Land Utilisation Department was itself a huge responsibility apart from other departmental and political tasks Dr Rahim had taken upon himself to perform.

Commenting on the decision, an official said that while acquiring the major segment of the education department after developing differences with Dr Khuhro, the chief minister did realise that it was the largest department of the provincial government with around 400,000 employees on its roll.

“The chief minister decided to delegate most of his powers to the education secretary because it is impossible to look after this huge department with a part-time approach,” he added.