The Prime Minister has officially approved the appointment of 19 officers as Community Welfare Attachés, who will represent Pakistan in various countries around the world.
This decision comes with a notable observation regarding the initial station allocations proposed by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, which were found to deviate from the principles of merit and fair play.
According to an official letter, the Prime Minister concurred with the Establishment Division’s concerns outlined in paragraph 17 of their summary. The division highlighted that the Ministry’s proposed allocation of stations did not adhere to merit-based criteria. Consequently, the Prime Minister has mandated that the allocation of stations for these Community Welfare Attachés in Pakistan’s missions abroad be strictly based on merit cum choice. This decision underscores the importance of maintaining fairness in the selection process by evaluating candidates based on their written test scores, interview performance, and references submitted during their applications.
In this revised allocation, no exemptions were granted to the applicable policy, ensuring a transparent and merit-based process. This move is aimed at reinforcing the government’s commitment to selecting the most qualified individuals for these crucial diplomatic roles, which are essential for safeguarding the interests of Pakistani expatriates and enhancing the country’s image abroad.
Among the appointed officers, Abdul Latif, a distinguished officer from the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), has been allocated to the New York station. His experience in law enforcement and public service is expected to serve the Pakistani community in the United States well, ensuring their welfare and addressing their concerns effectively.
Similarly, Waqar Ali Khan, an officer from the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), has been appointed to the Milan station in Italy. His administrative expertise and commitment to public service are anticipated to contribute positively to the Pakistani diaspora in Europe, particularly in Italy, which hosts a significant number of Pakistani expatriates.
Salik Mahmood, an officer from the Pakistan Customs Service, has been allocated to Barcelona, Spain. His role will be critical in addressing issues related to trade, customs, and the welfare of the Pakistani community in Spain, a key destination for Pakistani workers and entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister also approved the allocation of Riyadh-1 station to PSP officer Sayed Aziz and Kuala Lumpur to PMS officer Hamza Naveed. Riyadh and Kuala Lumpur are vital stations due to the large Pakistani populations residing in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Both officers are expected to leverage their skills and experience to enhance the welfare services provided to the Pakistani communities in these regions.
appointments include IRS officer Osama Idrees, who has been allocated to Doha-1, and PAS officer Sonia Sadaf, who will serve in Abu Dhabi. Doha and Abu Dhabi are strategic locations, with significant Pakistani populations engaged in various sectors. The appointed officers will play a key role in addressing the concerns of expatriates and ensuring their rights and interests are protected.
PAS officer Muhammad Khizer Afzaal has been assigned to the Athens station, where he will be responsible for representing the Pakistani community in Greece. Greece, with its growing Pakistani population, requires a dedicated welfare attaché to address the unique challenges faced by expatriates in this region.
Moreover, Pakistan Audit and Accounts group officer Mohsin Raza Qureshi has been allocated to Doha-II, while DIS Hamza Tauqir will serve in Kuwait. PMS officer Hafiz Abdul Mannan has been appointed to Muscat, Oman. These officers will be tasked with ensuring that the Pakistani communities in these Gulf countries receive the necessary support and representation.
Other notable appointments include Jannat Hussain Nekokara to Riyadh-II, PCS officer Azka Zafar Rana to Jeddah-I, and PCS officer Syed Jalal Haidar Zaidi to Pretoria. The appointment of these officers to key stations highlights the government’s focus on regions with substantial Pakistani populations.
Zahra Dastgir has been allocated to Tokyo, Japan, where she will play a crucial role in enhancing the welfare and support systems for Pakistanis residing in Japan. Zainab Asad has been appointed to Jeddah-II, Aakif Iqbal to Jeddah-III, and Abdul Haidar Janjua to Seoul, South Korea. These appointments aim to strengthen the presence of Pakistani welfare services in these important locations.
Finally, Wasif Rehman has been allocated to Bahrain, a country with a significant Pakistani workforce. His role will be vital in ensuring that the rights and welfare of Pakistani workers are protected in Bahrain.
These appointments reflect the government’s commitment to a merit-based selection process, ensuring that the most qualified individuals are chosen to represent Pakistan and safeguard the interests of its citizens abroad. The Prime Minister’s emphasis on merit and fair play in these allocations sets a positive precedent for future appointments, reinforcing the integrity of the selection process and ensuring that Pakistan’s missions abroad are staffed with capable and dedicated officers.
