Captain (R) Shahid Ashraf Tarar (Urdu: شاہد اشرف تارڑ) is a BPS-22 Pakistani civil servant who has served as Caretaker Federal Minister for Communications, Maritime and Railways from 17 August 2023 to 4 March 2024.[1][2] His career spans various senior roles including Chairman National Highway Authority and Federal Public Service Commission. Notably, he was appointed as the Executive Director of the World Bank Group on behalf of seven countries including Pakistan. Prior to his civil service, Tarar served in the Pakistan Army, retiring with the rank of Captain.

Shahid Ashraf Tarar
Federal Caretaker Minister for Communications, Maritime and Railways
In office
17 August 2023 – 4 March 2024
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterAnwaar ul Haq Kakar
Succeeded byAwais Leghari (Railways)
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh (Maritime)
Chairman Federal Public Service Commission
In office
July 2023 – Aug 2023
Secretary Ministry of Communication
In office
Nov 2014 – Dec 2017
Chairman National Highway Authority
In office
Jan 2014 – Dec 2017
Member Federal Public Service Commission
In office
Jan 2021 – July 2023
Executive Director World Bank Group
In office
Jan 2018 – Jan 2021
Personal details
NationalityPakistani
ProfessionCivil Servant
Military service
RankCaptain (Retired)

Career

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Tarar belongs to Pakistan Administrative Service.[3] He started his career as an Assistant Commissioner in Balochistan. He is a retired Federal Secretary who joined the 13th Common in the Civil Service after retiring from the Pakistan Army as a Captain.[1][4] He also served as Secretary Excise & Taxation Punjab,[5] Director General National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC)[6]

Tarar also served as the Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) in the Nawaz Sharif-led government. He oversaw speedy and timely completion of multi-billion projects as the head of NHA at that time.[1][7]

He has also been the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Communications from November 2014 to December 2016.[8]

In November 2018, Tarar was appointed as an Executive Director World Bank Group by the seven countries comprising Pakistan. He was also appointed as the Chairman Human Resources Committee of the World Bank Board.[9][10]

Before joining as a caretaker minister, Tarar was appointed as chairman Federal Public Service Commission by the Shahbaz Sharif-led government in July 2023. He was sworn in by President Dr. Arif Alvi.[11]

Tarar was sworn in as the Caretaker Federal Minister in the Kakar Cabinet on 17 August 2023 and was allotted three portfolios: Communications, Maritime Affairs, Railways.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Shahid Tarar's appointment as caretaker minister welcomed". The Nation. August 19, 2023.
  2. ^ https://dgps.gov.pk/ProfileDetail/OWQzOWNmMzMtMWVlZC00MDI1LWJlNjgtM2ZiZWJlODI3Mjlh
  3. ^ https://www.fpsc.gov.pk/sites/default/files/members-cv/Capt-Retired-Shahid-Ashraf-Tarar.pdf
  4. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2017-10-14). "Shahid Ashraf Tarar appointed World Bank executive director". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  5. ^ "Property tax: Punjab acts in consultation with businessmen". The Express Tribune. 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  6. ^ "Shahid Ashraf Becomes Chairman of World Bank's HR Committee".
  7. ^ "NHA executive board meets". www.thenews.com.pk.
  8. ^ Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Communications. "FEDERAL SECRETARIES".
  9. ^ "WB HRC elects Pakistan's executive director as its chairman". www.thenews.com.pk.
  10. ^ Desk, Web (November 24, 2018). "World Bank HRC elects Pakistan's executive director Shahid Ashraf as chairman". ARY NEWS. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ "President appoints Shahid Ashraf Tarar as Chairman FPSC".