ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: The selection process of trade ministers, commercial counsellors and commercial secretaries for postings abroad has become controversial even before the last date for submission of applications.

Informed sources in the ministry of commerce told Dawn the chief executive had approved last year a selection process that required open competition based on a pre determined qualification criteria. However, there is no open competition this year.

On November 14, training wing of the establishment division asked various ministries and divisions particularly the board of investment (BOI), export promotion bureau (EPB), central board of revenue (CBR) and finance division to send their nominations by November 20.

The date was, however, extended on protests from various ministries for such a short notice. Interestingly, the relevant memorandum seeking applications from the candidates was not circulated to the officials of commerce ministry itself by the end of last date.

Sources in the commerce ministry said that establishment division was asked to short-list the candidates for around 12 seats but it was not made final as to how many posts were really vacant.

The sources said that the commerce ministry had itself got approved an “Active List” from the chief executive early this year with the decision that new postings in December 2001 would not require new selection process and postings would be made from among this list.

The active list was however, totally ignored and new process initiated. Secretary commerce Mirza Qamar Beg when contacted said that the active list was valid till December 2001. He said that selection process would be final in six weeks time but failed to remember that six weeks were still to go before December is over.

He said that this time the process has been streamlined and professionalism and relevant experience would be the main consideration instead of previous tradition of favouritism.

He said that the ministry had decided to send specialised officials on foreign postings and persons only with the relevant experience would be selected through right judgment.

A senior commerce ministry official said that number of vacancies would vary if postings were made in December or June next year. The official said that commerce ministry sought bio-datas of various officials directly and had not asked for circulating the memorandum among various ministries and officials.

Giving an example, the official said, that CBR had forwarded names of some 70 candidates but they were asked again to provide a short list of 12 candidates.

Asked as to why applications were not sought from the commerce ministry officials, he said: “we know who is who in the ministry and do not require applications”.

Early this year, a criteria was devised that required at least one year experience in ministries of finance, commerce, export promotion or investment sector, with an age limit of 54 years and very good annual confidential reports.

However, some of the officials who were cleared relevant agencies, approved by the chief executive and underwent complete training were stopped from proceeding abroad under mysterious circumstances.