Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed

(Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan)

During last 23 years or so, Fawad Hasan Fawad was twice posted in Prime Minister’s Office; firstly, as Staff Officer to the then Principal Secretary to Prime Minister (1997-1998) and then initially as Additional Secretary and as Secretary to two successive Prime Ministers during 2013 to 2018.

We were members of Prime Minister’s team in both these tenures. Conceptual clarity, razor-sharp analytical ability, professionally tuned & trained mind in the art & craft of public affairs with ability to deal with complex issues were some of the hallmarks of his many inputs − galvanized during high visibility sensitive assignments from a provincial sub-division to apex staff position held under the federal government, since joining public service three decades back.

Fawad would always articulate his views with courage of conviction sans fear or favour, expected from someone form a person of substance without dispensing form, a quality integral for picking up senior staff for country’s chief-executive. Fawad would flag implications of any policy option to facilitate an optimal choice. His intellectual and moral integrity was always beyond reproach.

Whether it was an internal consultative session or a meeting of the federal cabinet, it’s various committees; or inter-provincial forum, he would not just keep that seat warm, he would actively share and express his true assessment. The most memorable of one of our such interactive sessions that I recall was a 16-hour uninterrupted sitting in Punjab House, Islamabad after 16th December 2014 Army Public School (APS), tragedy. We gathered for a consultative session to formulate what became to be National Action Plan (NAP); a select group of retired & serving civil-military officers with almost 1000 years of hands-on experience was assembled on one-day’s notice to put our heads together. We submitted draft recommendations for further consideration of the policy makers. That draft plan was later debated threadbare by standing committees of the two houses of parliament on which all parties were duly represented, also in day long sessions, ably steered by Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan. The NAP was eventually adopted at an All Parties Summit, with PM Nawaz Sharif presiding, sans any alteration in recommended legislative and executive measures.

During the course of unblemished service, Fawad endeared himself to many; for some others, he was too rigid at times. His evidence-based position would eventually prevail in most contentious cases. A role model for younger civil service colleagues has unfortunately been subjected to unfair/unjust treatment since 5th July 2018 by avoidable tormenting in detention especially stories crafted for his character assassination. While the test brought out a poet in him, his spirit remains high like his firm resolve to stand for what he deemed was/is truth. Any or many ordinary mortals may have opted for comfort for self and family under such conditions, likewise subjected to unjust mental anguish.

His experience is a loud and clear message: claims of nurturing professional upgrade among Civil Servants or transforming Civil Services as quality institutions of state are no more than empty rhetoric.

I always saw a dear younger brother in Fawad and trust that the real truth will soon expose many.

22^nd August 2019