ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering the names of two former bureaucrats to fill for the top slot of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) which fell vacant after Aftab Sultan tendered resignation citing ‘interference’ in his work.
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According to multiple media reports, the names of former secretary aviation retired Squadron Leader Muhammad Irfani Elahi and former interior secretary retired Major Azam Suleman Khan, have been circulating among the ruling circles as top contenders to fill the vacant post of NAB Chief.
This came when Aftab Sultan resigned from the position of the NAB chairman over alleged pressure to enact and pursue some corruption cases.
Addressing the farewell gathering at NAB Headquarters, Aftab Sultan was quoted as saying that “NAB cannot bear the interference of the institutions, neither did I join NAB with something, nor do am I going with anything, one plot owner is told to put behind bars, while those with billions (of corruption) were shown way out, the officers should work hard, just stick with the law.” He also emphasized the need to hold fresh elections and accept the mandate of newly formed government.
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Profile: Muhammad Irfan Elahi
According to information available in public domain, Irfan Elahi has done his graduation, Masters in Public Administration and LLB from Punjab University. Retired Sqn. Ldr Muhammad Irfan Elahi was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as GD Pilot in 1978. Later he joined the Government Service (DMG Group) in 1991 and served in the provinces of Balochistan and Punjab.
He has served as assistant commissioner Chaman and Quetta, Political Agent Chagai & Killa Saifullah, DCO & EDO Lahore, DCO Rawalpindi, DG Relief Punjab, Director Food, DG Parks and Horticulture Authority, Secretary Food, Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development and Secretary Irrigation Department Punjab. He has also served as Chairman Planning and Development Board, Punjab.
He took over charge as Secretary Aviation in 2015 and in the preceding year 2016 he was given additional portfolio of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). He retired as the federal secretary in 2018.
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Profile: Azam Suleman Khan
According to information available in public domain, Retired Major Azam Suleman Khan joined Pakistan Administrative Service through Pakistan Armed Forces quota on August 31, 1990.
He also remained District Coordination Officer of Multan and Faisalabad during 2001 to 2003 and 2006 to 2008 respectively, during the military-government of the late Gen Parvez Musharraf. He also served as Deputy Commissioner Kasur from 1999 to 2001.
For several years, he led the Home Department of Punjab as its top bureaucrat during the tenure of former Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He was promoted to the rank of federal secretary in Feb 2017 by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
In 2018, he was made Chief Secretary Sindh by the caretaker ministry. After the PTI came into power, he was appointed as Chief Secretary Punjab by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. In 2020, he took premature retirement to qualify for constitutional position of Provincial Ombudsman of Punjab, the position he currently holds.
