Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially accepted the resignation of Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan from his position as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission (DCPC) and has appointed Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal to take over the role with immediate effect.
With this new appointment, Ahsan Iqbal now holds full authority within the Planning Ministry, consolidating his influence over development projects and key initiatives. Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, however, will continue his role as Secretary of the Apex Committee for the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
According to insider sources, tensions had been simmering within the Ministry of Planning, particularly within the P-Block at the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad, for several months. The friction reportedly stemmed from Iqbal’s discomfort with the DCPC’s authority over the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), which oversees the approval of development projects. Iqbal had raised his concerns with the Prime Minister’s Office, ultimately leading to Dr. Jehanzeb Khan’s resignation.
Two official notifications issued by the Cabinet Division on Friday confirmed these changes. The first announced the acceptance of Dr. Jehanzeb Khan’s resignation, effective immediately, with a compensation equivalent to one month’s salary. The second notification confirmed Ahsan Iqbal’s new role as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, in addition to his current duties as Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives. Notably, Iqbal will serve in this capacity without any additional financial benefits or perks.
Ahsan Iqbal is no stranger to the Planning Commission, having first held the Deputy Chairman position during Nawaz Sharif’s second tenure in 1997. He later served as Federal Minister for Planning and Development in 2013, 2022, and 2024, and has previously managed both roles concurrently from 2013-2017 and 2022-2023. His reappointment to this dual role is, therefore, consistent with his extensive experience in the ministry.
