Govt appoints Zarrar Hasham Khan as new Federal Secretary of IT

ISLAMABAD: In a historic first, the federal government has appointed a private sector professional, Zarrar Hasham Khan, as the Federal Secretary of IT and Telecommunications.

Zarrar Khan, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in technology and telecom, was selected through an open market process.

Newly appointed Federal secretary of IT and telecommunication Zarrar’s selection was confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following a rigorous interview process chaired by Federal Minister Ahad Cheema.

Zarrar Khan is currently working as Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, where he is responsible for developing and delivering the entire ICT portfolio for B2B and B2G customers.

In addition, he previously held leadership roles at major telecom companies, including Saudi Telecom Company (STC) in Kuwait, where he led one of the largest 5G deployments globally in 2019.

Khan’s appointment marks a significant shift in the government’s approach to key appointments, prioritizing industry expertise.

He will be paid a monthly salary of Rs. 1.5 to Rs. 2 million on a Special Professional Pay Scale One (SPSS-1).

This move aligns with recent trends, as the Secretary of Law and Justice also comes from a private sector background.

As Secretary IT and Telecom, Zarrar Khan will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the country’s IT and telecom policies.

His appointment is seen as a significant step towards accelerating Pakistan’s digital transformation and promoting the growth of the IT and telecom sectors.