PM Shehbaz defers MCMC nominations of 25 grade-18 officers, including DPO Toba Tek Singh

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the deferment of nominations of 25 Grade-18 officers for the 47th Mid-Career Management

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the deferment of nominations of 25 Grade-18 officers for the 47th Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC), according to documents and sources familiar with the development.

The Establishment Division has formally issued a notification regarding the decision, with copies circulated to relevant chief secretaries, inspector generals of police, and federal government departments.

The deferred officers belong to several key occupational groups, including the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), Office Management Group (OMG), and Postal Group.

According to details available, three officers from the Pakistan Administrative Service have had their nominations deferred. They include Muhammad Suhaib Butt, currently serving in the Chief Minister’s Punjab Office; Zain-ul-Abideen Memon, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad; and Sara Javed, Deputy Commissioner Shaheed Benazirabad.

The largest number of deferred nominations—18—comes from the Police Service of Pakistan. Among the prominent officers are Akhlaqullah Tarar, District Police Officer (DPO) Toba Tek Singh; Captain (Retd) Ali Raza, SSP Operations Islamabad; Abdul Khaliq, SSP Malir, Karachi; Arslan Zahid, DPO Nankana Sahib; and Sanu Ahmad Khan, SSP Operations Gujranwala. Several other officers serving at the SP level in different districts are also included in the list.

Two officers from the Office Management Group, Mohsin Ali and Maryam Haya, and two officers from the Postal Group, Ayesha Komal and Muhammad Umar Farooq, are also affected by the deferment

Officials familiar with the matter said the decision has been taken amid ongoing administrative and operational requirements in several parts of the country. Police departments, particularly in Punjab and Sindh, are currently dealing with law-and-order challenges, anti-crime operations and preparations related to upcoming local government elections.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that postponing the training of the 18 PSP officers would allow them to continue performing their existing field responsibilities.

According to the official, keeping the officers in their current positions would help maintain continuity in districts where operations against organized crime, street crime and other security challenges are underway.

The Mid-Career Management Course is an important professional development programme for Grade-18 civil servants and police officers. It focuses on areas including public policy, governance, leadership and administrative management. Successful completion of the course is generally linked to career progression and promotion to GradeGrade-19l

The deferment of the nominations means the affected officers will continue serving in their present assignments for the time being. The decision also avoids immediate vacancies in several important administrative and police positions.

The Establishment Division’s formal circulation of the notification confirms that the deferment has been officially approved and communicated to the concerned departments.

Officials said such postponements are not unprecedented and may occur because of administrative exigencies, election-related responsibilities, operational requirements or other official considerations.

The 25 officers are expected to be considered for a subsequent MCMC batch once the government determines that their release from their current assignments will not adversely affect administrative and operational requirements.