ISLAMABAD, July 20: The federal government here on Saturday appointed additional secretary Ministry of Finance Dr Waqar Masood Khan as the new secretary economic affairs division.

Earlier, secretary EAD Naveed Ahsan had been appointed as secretary ministry of finance in place of Younus Khan who has been retired and now appointed as the auditor general of Pakistan.

Mr Khan sworn in as the new auditor general at a ceremony held in the Conference Hall of the Supreme Court on Saturday. His oath was administered by Chief Justice Sheikh Riaz Ahmad.

Sources said that economic advisor of the ministry of finance Dr Ashfaq Hasan Khan who was currently in Grade 21 will also be shortly promoted in Grade 22. His performance has been appreciated by President Gen Pervez Musharraf specially for formulating Economic Survey for 2001-2002.

The government has announced the appointment of Zamir Akram as ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal, APP adds.

Mr Akram joined the foreign service in July 1978 and held various diplomatic assignments in Pakistan mission abroad including Moscow (1982-1984), Geneva (1984-86), New Delhi (1989-94) and Washington (1994-98).

Presently he is serving as minister/deputy head of the mission, embassy of Pakistan, Washington since February 2000.