ISLAMABAD, July 24: In a surprise move, the government sacked finance secretary Farrukh Qayum on Thursday and appointed Dr Waqar Masud to succeed him.

Former finance minister Ishaq Dar had appointed Farrukh Qayum a few months ago after removing Dr Waqar Masud.

Dr Masud was working as an official on special duty (OSD) after the removal. He worked as secretary at the economic affairs division and as special secretary to former prime minister Shaukat Aziz.

The caretaker government posted Dr Masud as finance secretary to succeed Ahmad Waqar, who replaced Abdullah Yousuf as chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue on Wednesday.

Mr Qayum was repatriated to the ministry of petroleum and natural resources — a post he held until a couple of months ago -- in place of Zafar Mahmood, who was made an OSD a few days ago.

The government also removed health secretary Khushnood Lashari on Thursday and appointed women development secretary Mahmood Saleem in his place. Likewise, labour and manpower secretary A.R. Abid was appointed as religious affairs secretary to succeed Wakil Ahmad Khan, who was sacked last week.