ISLAMABAD, May 12: Commerce Secretary Qamar Beg Mirza is likely to take over as principal secretary to the chief executive when the incumbent Tariq Aziz would retire from service the next month.

Knowledgeable sources said Mr Mirza had earlier been tipped as trade ambassador to Geneva, a post that was being created to deal with the emerging issues of the World Trade Organization. The move was strongly opposed by the finance and foreign affairs ministries.

The trade policy 2001-2 has promised postings of at least two trade ambassadors to promote trade and exports.