They said Wajid Durrani (seen at the center here), who appeared to be a strong contender at one point, was given the green signal by the PM Secretariat and also got a briefing from Mr Noor at the IB head office on Sept 30, but later his name was dropped. - File Photo

LAHORE: After lengthy deliberations to forge a consensus over the appointment of the new Intelligence Bureau chief from among four senior police officers, the federal government finally chose Additional IG Aftab Sultan as the bureau’s new director general on Saturday.

As the prime minister finalised the name of Mr Sultan, who was working as Additional IG Welfare and Finance, Punjab, even after getting promotion to the rank of BS-22, a notification was issued by the Establishment Division.

The slot of IB chief fell vacant after Additional IG Javed Noor retired from the Police Service of Pakistan on Oct 1.

Mr Sultan, who belongs to 4th Common of Central Superior Service, told Dawn that he would assume the charge of his new office on Oct 24 after appearing in the court of Lahore High Court Chief Justice in connection with dengue spread inquiry.

Mr Sultan got promotion to the rank of BS-22 around three months ago, but was retained by the Punjab government till his recent posting.

Sources in the IB told Dawn that initially three names were under consideration — Inspector General of Punjab Police Javed Iqbal, Balochistan IGP Rao Ameen Hashim and Additional IG Aftab Sultan were included in the panel for selection, but the name of Sindh IG Wajid Durrani was added in the second panel.

They said Wajid Durrani, who appeared to be a strong contender at one point, was given the green signal by the PM Secretariat and also got a briefing from Mr Noor at the IB head office on Sept 30, but later his name was dropped.

Mr Wajid was appointed as chairman of National Highways and Motorways Police on Saturday. The names of National Police Commandant Shabbir Shah and a couple of retired army officers, one of them is recently posted at the Presidency, were also considered for the key post, sources added.

A source said traditionally the senior most police officer of PSP was appointed as the bureau’s chief who was Punjab IGP Javed Iqbal, who belonged to 3rd Common.

He, however, said after 8th Commoner Mr Durrani, who faced over two-year imprisonment in connection with Murtaza Bhutto assassination case, and 5th Commoner Mr Hashim, whose father Rao Hashim was considered one of the founding members of Pakistan People’s Party, failed to get the key posting because of their mutual competition and political backings, the government decided to appoint Mr Sultan, next to Mr Iqbal in seniority, to avoid further delay and embarrassment.

Mr Sultan has been inquiring into the allegation of purchasing of spurious pesticides by the Lahore district government and his transfer has reportedly provided a relief to those fearing ‘unfavorable’ findings.