PESHAWAR, Dec 12: The government is considering to replace some senior bureaucrats in the Civil Secretariat, Fata, because some of the officers have developed differences with NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai over operational issues, it is learnt.

Sources told Dawn that tension between the Governor House and Civil Secretariat (Fata) surfaced on Monday when four senior officers applied for long leave.

The officers are Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Javed Iqbal, Secretary Security Arbab Mohammad Arif, Secretary Administration Civil Secretariat (Fata) Sikandar Quyyum and Political Agent South Waziristan Agency Hussain Zada.

The sources said that the government had granted leave to Mr Iqbal and notified on Tuesday his replacement as well.

Officials at the NWFP Establishment Department said that Secretary to Governor Azmat Hanif Aurakzai had been given the charge of the post of the ACS-Fata in addition to his own duties.

The sources said posting of a full-time ACS-Fata was expected within couple of days for which names of various senior officers were being considered.

About the leave applications of the other two secretaries, the officials said the Establishment Department had processed their cases, and a final decision would be taken in a day or two.

They said replacement of these officers would be made in a phased manner.

The sudden developments in the Fata Secretariat, which is in the international limelight following the pledge of the United States of granting $750 million for the social uplift of the tribal areas, has shocked many among the official circles.

The sources said that tension between senior officers of the Governor House and Civil Secretariat, Fata, had been continued for the last couple of months.