Finance secretary 'shown the door' before FY24 budget

Imdadullah Bosal has been appointed finance secretary

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The Shehbaz-led government has removed Finance Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh nearly three weeks before the presentation of the annual budget (2023-24) and ordered him to report to the Establishment Division. 

The Establishment Division notified Imdadullah Bosal, a BS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), as the finance secretary. 

It is learnt that Mr Sheikh, a BS-22 officer of the PAS, had requested the government in writing for granting him leave but the government was reluctant ahead of the upcoming budget for 2023-24 which is expected to be unveiled on June 9. 

The outgoing officer had reportedly requested the government to relieve him as he wanted to attend the graduation ceremony of one of his children abroad and later avail himself of an assignment with an FCDO-funded project. Mr Sheikh also wanted leave for his back pain due to prolonged sittings during office hours. 

The removal of senior bureaucrat Hamed Yaqoob, who reportedly played an active role in staff-level talks with the IMF for seeking loan, has raised eyebrows at a time when the PDM government is going to present its second budget amid the economic turmoil.