Govt Appoints Zarrar Hasham Khan As New IT Secretary

For the first time in Pakistan’s history, a professional from the private sector has been appointed as the Federal Secretary of IT and Telecommunications. Zarrar Hasham Khan, previously a senior executive at Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), has been selected for the role through an open market process.

The position was advertised by the Establishment Division, and Khan’s appointment marks a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to key appointments.

The Selection Board, chaired by Federal Minister Ahad Cheema, interviewed candidates and shortlisted three names: Zarrar Hasham Khan, Azfar Manzoor, and Usman Mubeen. Zarrar HashamKhan topped the list and has been appointed on a Special Professional Pay Scale One (SPSS-1), with a monthly salary of Rs. 1.5 to Rs. 2 million. His appointment has been officially confirmed through a notification issued by the Establishment Division following approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Zarrar Hasham Khan’s appointment marks a historic first in the IT and telecom sector, where a private-sector professional is now at the helm of the ministry. This move aligns with recent trends, as the Secretary of Law and Justice also comes from a private sector background, signaling a broader shift toward industry expertise in government roles.

Zarrar Hasham Khan brings over two decades of experience in technology and telecom to his new role. A graduate of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute, Khan furthered his education at Harvard Business School, Oxford University, and London Business School, and completed an MBA at the University of Warwick. His career spans leadership roles at major telecom companies, including Saudi Telecom Company (STC) in Kuwait, where he served as Chief Technology Officer and led one of the largest 5G deployments globally in 2019.