Commitment to Good Governance: ‘Australian Award Scholar’ Muhammad Arif Khan Appointed as Special Secretary Finance
Report by: Murtaza Zehri
The Government of Balochistan has taken a significant step towards modernizing the provincial administrative structure—particularly financial affairs—moving it away from traditional bureaucratic methods and aligning it with modern standards.
Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has appointed Muhammad Arif Khan as Special Secretary in the Finance Department. This move is being hailed in government circles as a prime example of ‘good governance’ and the supremacy of merit.
This appointment comes at a critical time when Balochistan is facing severe challenges regarding fiscal discipline and the equitable distribution of resources.
Generally, appointments within Balochistan’s bureaucracy have been viewed through the lens of seniority or political influence; however, the selection of Muhammad Arif Khan stands out as exceptional due to his robust educational and professional background.
Muhammad Arif Khan is among the few officers in the province who is an ‘Australian Award Scholar,’ holding a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the globally renowned University of Melbourne. Beyond his degree, his training in Public Financial Management and Governance spans prestigious institutions, including Oxford University in the UK, as well as institutes in Japan and Turkey.
Administrative experts suggest that the induction of an officer into the Finance Department who possesses experience with the financial models of developed nations could be instrumental in introducing technical expertise to the province’s antiquated financial system.
Mr. Khan’s appointment appears to be a continuation of the ongoing reforms within the Finance Department under the leadership of Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani and Finance Secretary Imran Khan Zarkoon.
The provincial government claims it is fully digitizing the department. In this regard, the following measures are particularly noteworthy:
The launch of a ‘Digital Testing Service’ for recruitment to curb human interference and potential nepotism.
Ensuring transparency in the procurement process for the multi-billion rupee project launched for women’s empowerment.
Prior to joining the Finance Department, Muhammad Arif Khan served in the development sector of the Health Department, where the nature of his work was directly linked to public welfare projects. However, the arena of the Finance Department is somewhat different and significantly more complex…
