Dr. Taqeer Shah Rejoins PM’s Team as Adviser, Promises to Enhance Prime Minister Office’s Efficiency

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s long-time trusted bureaucrat, Dr. Taqeer Shah, has rejoined his team as an Adviser to the Prime Minister, marking his return to the Prime Minister’s Office after a distinguished tenure at the World Bank.

Dr. Shah, who recently resigned from his position as Executive Director at the World Bank on the request of the Prime Minister, has been appointed with the rank of Federal Minister. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, recognizing the need to improve the performance of his office, expressed a desire for Dr. Shah’s return to enhance its efficiency.

Dr. Shah, who has a close professional relationship with the Prime Minister spanning over 28 years, is regarded as one of his most reliable allies. His involvement with Shehbaz Sharif began when he joined the Pakistan Administrative Service in 1991 and later served as Deputy Secretary under the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif. Over the years, he steadily advanced to key roles, including serving as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Punjab and, later, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly praised Dr. Shah for his professionalism and integrity. Despite facing rigorous scrutiny during General Pervez Musharraf’s regime and the tenure of former NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal, Dr. Shah has maintained a spotless record. Notably, he even refused to accept a government plot, a privilege often given to senior bureaucrats.

Before his appointment at the World Bank, Dr. Shah continued to serve as the Principal Secretary to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar. His exceptional services were recognized by Kakar’s cabinet, which held a special farewell event in his honor. In reference to Dr. Shah, it was noted in a publication, “Among all the officers I have dealt with, Dr. Taqeer is the most honest, hardworking, and balanced. His integrity is beyond question, and he has served the federal government with exceptional professionalism.”

Sources suggest that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to bring Dr. Shah back as an adviser follows dissatisfaction with the daily operations at the Prime Minister’s Office. Dr. Shah is known for his balanced approach and his ability to combine political requirements with the demands of good governance and legality.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif selected Dr. Shah for his candidness, courage in speaking the truth, and his ability to offer policy advice on key issues. According to sources, the Prime Minister believes that the office lacked effective handling of political matters, particularly with parliamentarians and allied parties, leading to increasing discontent among them.

An official who has worked with Dr. Shah stated, “Politicians appreciate Dr. Shah for his dignified conduct, patience, and deep understanding of the political culture. On the other hand, civil servants find him accessible, trustworthy, and someone who is always ready to listen to everyone’s concerns.”

The Prime Minister acknowledges that Dr. Shah’s crisis management skills and leadership have contributed to his past successes. This is why, at the age of 45, Shehbaz Sharif chose him as his Principal Secretary. His strength lies in the freedom he enjoys to provide candid advice.

In 2022, an audio leak revealed Dr. Shah advising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif not to grant a favor requested by Maryam Nawaz for her son-in-law, signaling his commitment to integrity.

Those familiar with Dr. Shah’s career believe that in his new role as the Prime Minister’s powerful adviser, he will shy away from publicity and focus on the task at hand. As one bureaucrat remarked, “You will see him around, but he won’t seek the limelight. He is liked, not feared.”

During his tenure at the World Bank, Dr. Shah played a pivotal role in securing a $40 billion commitment to Pakistan under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF). He has also served in high-ranking positions in various United Nations agencies, including UNDP, ILO, and the International Trade Center in Geneva.

Dr. Shah’s career milestone was his tenure as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 2015 to 2018, where he chaired the WTO’s Committee on Trade and Environment and served as a judge in a high-level panel addressing trade disputes between Russia and the U.S.

Dr. Shah, a graduate of the University of Manchester as a Chevening Scholar, has also been a Fellow at Lead International and has held fellowships from Brown University, Duke University, and the Netherlands’ Sustainability Challenge Foundation. Throughout his career, Dr. Shah has excelled in all civil service training courses.

Despite his exemplary career, Dr. Shah was overlooked during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure, where he was made an OSD and denied a promotion to Grade 22.

Hailing from a prominent landowning family in Sangjani (Islamabad), Dr. Shah is widely respected for his humility and problem-solving approach, especially in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he holds extensive holdings.

Dr. Taqeer Shah’s return marks a significant step in strengthening the Prime Minister’s team, as his leadership and professional integrity are seen as crucial in navigating the current political landscape.