ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 An intensive activity is being witnessed in the power corridors to fill the top bureaucratic positions which are currently lying vacant.

The posts of secretaries establishment and cabinet divisions are at present unoccupied and the government is yet to find suitable officers to fill them. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani is also working without his principal secretary after removal of Siraj Shamsuddin from the position.

So intense is the manoeuvring in various quarters of the government that the presidency on Monday had to clarify that the President's Secretariat had nothing to do with the selection of officers.

Though transfers and postings in BPS-22 come directly under the executive control of the Prime Minister's Secretariat; however, a section of the press had reported that the presidency was taking keen interest in the filling of the positions which are considered linchpins of the federal bureaucracy.

According to a senior civil servant, who requested not to be named, the government would soon fill the positions because the absence of fully- fledged secretaries has a paralyzing effect on the smooth functioning of the federal bureaucracy.

Though additional secretaries are running the day-to-day official business in their capacities as acting secretaries, the government could not afford to keep them vacant for such a long time, the official said.

Although the prime minister has been given a panel of three officers to choose his next principal secretary; however, Kashif Murtaza, sitting secretary railways, is the front runner for the position.

KB Rind, Secretary Narcotics, is being tipped as next secretary establishment, whereas Secretary Environment Khushnood Akhtar Lashari and Salman Saddique, Secretary Kashmir Affairs, are on the top of the list for the position of secretary cabinet division.

The removal of press secretary to the Prime Minister, Zahid Bashir, in a bizarre manner and reported differences between the prime minister and his former principal secretary Siraj Shamsuddin got lots of media attention which did not go well with the government. Therefore, the official said, the Prime Minister's Secretariat wanted to double check that only reputed officials were appointed on vacant positions.

At present, over one dozen divisions and ministries are running without fully-fledged ministers, whereas 20 secretary-level positions in BPS-22 are also lying vacant.

Shabbir Anwar new PIO

The government on Tuesday appointed Shabbir Anwar new Principal Information Officer (PIO), sources told Dawn.

Mr Anwar, a BPS-20 officer of the information group would replace Ghulam Hazoor Bajwa who has been given the charge of Director Films and Publications.

Some believe its a routine transfer. However, according to the sources, the change has been made on the insistence of Secretary Information, Ashfaq Gondal, who was not feeling comfortable with the outgoing PIO.

Technically speaking, PIO is considered government's chief spokesperson who manages public relations of the whole lot of federal departments and ministries. Despite repeated attempts, Mr Gondal was not available for his comments on the appointment of new PIO.

Meanwhile Sajida Iqbal Saeed, a BPS-21 officer of the information group retired after reaching the age of superannuation.