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DR Firdous Ashiq Awan should have known better. As adviser to the chief minister of Punjab, she carries the weight and authority of the government on her shoulders. This official gravitas, mandated to her through the office she holds, demands an exhibition of grace, decorum, and above all, restraint. Sadly, Dr Awan showed neither when she unleashed her anger on an assistant commissioner accompanying her to a market in Sialkot.
In a fit of rage caught on tape, Dr Awan reprimanded the official, a woman, in a most severe tone for what she termed a dereliction of duty. This she did in full view of the cameras and the accompanying retinue of people. The officer preferred to walk away from this tirade rather than engage the enraged adviser. The subsequent outrage in the media, and a strong protest by the chief secretary, forced Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to summon his adviser for an explanation. After the meeting, Dr Awan held a press conference and defended her actions. If she was repentant, she did an admirable job of disguising it.
Read: No one appreciated Firdous Ashiq Awan disrespecting the Sialkot assistant commissioner
Whatever the merits of the case in this situation, Dr Awan had absolutely no right to publicly denigrate and demean an officer of the government. Decorum and decency demanded that she express her displeasure in private, and if needed, report the assistant commissioner to her superiors. By humiliating the officer publicly, Dr Awan undermined her authority as a member of the district administration and also violated her dignity as a citizen of Pakistan.
This has sent a very bad signal to the bureaucracy which in any case is under pressure as a result of the PTI government’s attitude. If the chief minister takes no action, he would be seen as condoning his adviser’s tirade. This will further demoralise the bureaucracy at a time when the government needs it to work with full diligence. Mr Buzdar should therefore reprimand Dr Awan for her coarse behaviour and make sure she tenders a public apology.
Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2021
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Comments (80) Closed
May 05, 2021 08:01am
Insulting a female assistant commissioner in public was really a big shame to government. The minister should know official way of talking and rules. Unfortunately, she lacks.
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May 05, 2021 08:07am
Saw the clip. The minister said absolutely nothing wrong. These are the people's servants.
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May 05, 2021 08:37am
Firdous Ashiq Awan did nothing wrong. The AC who is PML-N's appointee was trying to ignore the genuine concerns of Firdous sahiba. The AC failed to perform her duties and yet she was showing her arrogance. Weldone Firdous sahiba.
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May 05, 2021 08:40am
She has to be fired
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May 05, 2021 08:47am
This is all a show to try and show people they are taking action and pretending to care about the people.
All drama by heartless people.
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May 05, 2021 08:58am
Looking at the rudeness and arrogance of the so called public officer didn't look like a "public officer" but a member of some royal family. Public humiliation for a public servant may not be far-fetched.
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May 05, 2021 09:27am
The so called public servants are actually public masters, Dr. FAA has done a right thing.
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May 05, 2021 09:40am
Ac should've known her duty too. These are public servants but they thought of themselves as chief and superior. They feel too disgrace in performing their duties. Firdous awan did absolutely correct.
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May 05, 2021 09:47am
@Fastrack, Well said.
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May 05, 2021 09:56am
What ever the minister has done was right thing at the right this commissnor time and all minister should do the same
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May 05, 2021 09:57am
Inefficient Punjab bureaucracy.
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May 05, 2021 09:57am
Bureaucrats believe in lavish life style. This perception should be changed. Those who do not render duties with full responsibilities should go home. Well done Firdous Ashiq Awan.
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May 05, 2021 09:59am
@Ajaz, This is not what you believe.
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May 05, 2021 10:16am
Publicity stunt by an incompetent politician using an incompetent bureaucrat.
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May 05, 2021 10:38am
@Naeem Qureshi, which she?
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May 05, 2021 10:49am
May be Ms Awan was not subtle in her dealing with the ADC. But the fact remained that the ADC was not doing her job and was not even sorry for that. So Ms Awan dealt with her the only way she knew. No one has ever accused ms Awan of a sophisticated communicator.
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May 05, 2021 11:02am
I saw the clip. Ms Firdous Ashiq Awan did nothing wrong. The AC was clearly neglecting her duties.
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May 05, 2021 11:27am
No one deserves to be disrespected publicly, neither a bureaucrat nor a common person selling goods on a wheelbarrow.
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May 05, 2021 11:43am
Firdous did right job
.these ACS has forget thier real job
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May 05, 2021 11:54am
the way the unelected and high salaried superfluous functionary behaved in public is a feature of plutocracy, it will never be tolerated in a democracy
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May 05, 2021 12:02pm
Firdous Begum is a great entertainer for the entertainment-thirsty people. She is the only one we have while women ACs are in dozens. Baji has done nothing wrong by scolding the AC in public. Admonishing in private would have deprived the people much amusement. Keep it up, Baji. More power to your vocal chords.
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May 05, 2021 12:20pm
Telling one of them to do its job as it should have been done according to established directives during Ramzan is bringing the whole 'bureaucracy' under pressure? It can only cause a vigilant media onlooker for its excessive love or hate for one or the other to see and shout upside down (i.e., ulta).
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May 05, 2021 12:32pm
If someone gave you illogical excuses then you do react and that's what she did.
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May 05, 2021 12:43pm
Old habits die hard.
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May 05, 2021 12:47pm
I don’t think Omar ibn e khattab would have left any of the current head of the governing bodies without any punishment. These officials deserve the severest of the humiliations. Firdous could not even think of what they deserve. They all need public humiliation of the highest grade, removal from their office for good, all their properties to be confiscated. They should be thankful for firdous for doing nothing.
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May 05, 2021 01:55pm
Our bureaucracy is a main culprit. Let us get rid of those, whose records are not clean. Sooner is better.
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May 05, 2021 02:49pm
@Syed Ahmad, thank you for thoughtfulness , just a small addition with due respect . Caliph Omar bin Abdul Aziz used to give surprise visits and help people in disguise.
Nothing against PTI or other political parties. All of them exploit people in the name of Islam . Monarch went one step further to make this country like the old State of Medina and Norway , not sure what were his thoughts connecting these two governances.
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May 05, 2021 03:32pm
Someone needs to take a stand when the afsar shahi is not doing their job. Thanks to Ms Awan to represent herself as a representative of people and not the afsar shahi class.
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May 05, 2021 03:58pm
Public humiliation of a government officer by a politician who herself doesn't stand tall on moral pedestal is condemnable. This indecency and vitriol reflects an attempt to blame bureaucracy for failures the government has shown in all disciplines of life. Such a public display of anger by politicians will not increase their popularity and acceptance by the public. A strong protest should be launched by the bureaucrats and Dr. Firdous must apologize for her actions and insulting behavior.
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May 05, 2021 04:35pm
@Fastrack, Are you condoning public humiliation of somebody? If so, then why government ministers shouldn't be humiliated publicly by other more powerful quarters.
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May 05, 2021 04:41pm
misbehaving govt officers in public place is not tolerable
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May 05, 2021 04:42pm
inolerable behaviour of firdous against govt officers
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May 05, 2021 05:13pm
@Queen, Are you serious? If you are PTI supporter, then it's fine.
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May 05, 2021 05:27pm
Bearucrates fooling at all tiers the public and politicians since IK came as PM
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May 05, 2021 05:33pm
What about common people being insulted by bureaucrats on daily basis?Someone has to insult them and show them they are public servants, not our masters.
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May 05, 2021 05:59pm
The problem is Imran Khan who instigated these practices. Firdous Awan was never suitable to become a minister.
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May 05, 2021 06:02pm
@Fastrack, Fardous Awan herself is a government servant but no job entitles you to humiliate, publicly scold and belittle anyone in public. I will wait for people to speak to you in the same way and see how you enjoy it. PTI and its party of thugs think they are above the law but the public can see them for what they are.
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May 05, 2021 06:18pm
But the first question is that should an AC stand at at a bazar. This is not her duty. Dr Sahiba just wanted to dramatze the issue and play politics. She forgot that it is the government who has created this sugar crisis. You are right that no cultured society can allow an office bearer of the government to humiliate a public servent in this tone and language. The Civil servents are highly groomed and efficient and we saw this when the AC said BAAT ARAM SAY BE KEE JA SAKTI HEY.
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May 05, 2021 06:21pm
No humanbeing has any right to degrade a fellow human being in front of any other. Respect all and one should be manner some to all.
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May 05, 2021 06:22pm
When no respect among departments then who cares?
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May 05, 2021 07:01pm
I think it was disgusting, professional women already have to work hard to win respect in their society and profession, if they are degrading openly who would respect them. As for being people's servant , people don't call their servants by this title ,they call them house helps!! Anyways it reflects Dr. Awan's own insecurities, a complex about a younger and prettier lady ??!!!
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May 05, 2021 07:04pm
The show of grace or decorum has not achieved any better performance by the high level bureaucrats over many decades. Many of them are drawing room type officials with little concern about field realities. What Ms. Awan did was harsh but needed reprimand to an official failing her duties and giving excuses.
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May 05, 2021 07:31pm
Firdous Awan must be sacked immediately, she is not fit for the job assigned to her.
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May 05, 2021 07:36pm
@Ajaz, good point
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May 05, 2021 07:49pm
AC should be taken to task for inefficiency...they are not above the law..
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May 05, 2021 07:50pm
FAA has done right and wrong. Right in the sense that she scolded AC for being negligent to perform her duties. Wrong in the sense that she could have made her OSD and initiated an official inquiry against her.
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May 05, 2021 07:56pm
Surprised to see such a reaction to Ms. Awan’s outburst. While it is reprehensible, it is a common practice of the powerful in Pakistan, including politicians and bureaucrats. Doctors, who also happen to be government officers, see worse behavior day in day out.
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May 05, 2021 08:26pm
@Fastrack, not the minister's personal servants.
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May 05, 2021 08:52pm
Lack of professionalism!
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May 05, 2021 09:03pm
Yes she did. If she found out that something is not right and that public money was not spent appropriately then as an elected member she DOES have the right.
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May 05, 2021 10:27pm
The AC is at fault by saying that she cannot come out and inspect because its TOO HOT. There are many government employees with this kind of attitude. Mrs Awan used unacceptable language after AC started arguing.
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May 05, 2021 10:31pm
The civil servants are still acting as if it's the British Raj. They are public servants, and it's high time that they should be made answerable. The minister was very appropriate. They get promotions as secretaries in finance, environment, development & planning, etc. for which they had no experience or qualifications.
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May 05, 2021 10:52pm
not just a government officer, but any citizen.
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May 05, 2021 11:03pm
A biased point of view is given above. Following questions can make us understand the situation better:
1. Was fruits or things available in market as per standard. NO.
2. Did the administrator initially accepted the fault. NO.
3. Is any Govt supported market gives best product as available in pricey public markets. NO.
4. Was poor products requires to be corrected without "Visit of Minister". Yes
Was it? NO
5. Was counselling required. YES.
6. Was counselling DONE in right way. NO.
Period
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May 05, 2021 11:03pm
A biased point of view is given above. Following questions can make us understand the situation better:
1. Was fruits or things available in market as per standard. NO.
2. Did the administrator initially accepted the fault. NO.
3. Is any Govt supported market gives best product as available in pricey public markets. NO.
4. Was poor products requires to be corrected without "Visit of Minister". Yes
Was it? NO
5. Was counselling required. YES.
6. Was counselling DONE in right way. NO.
Period
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May 05, 2021 11:05pm
I think Ms. Awan could have been a bit more sensitive, but I can understand her frustration. CSS officers don't consider themselves as the servant of people, they consider themselves monarchs. Just look at the protocol they expect. They need to change their attitude. Ms. Awan tried to make it an example for other officers to take their responsibilities seriously.
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May 05, 2021 11:12pm
Public servants need to change their attitude towards common people.
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May 05, 2021 11:15pm
Dr. Firdous only fault is that she reprimanded an Assistant Commissioner and that too from Punjab.
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May 06, 2021 12:07am
Totally unacceptable rude behaviour shows the arrogance of a hand picked adviser .Assistant commissioner did the right thing to walk away.
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May 06, 2021 12:08am
Unacceptable behaviour by a hand picked advisor .
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May 06, 2021 12:14am
The woman, Firdaus Ashiq Awan, is not an elected representative; she is an adviser to the Chief Minister looking after Information. In what capacity did she visit the Ramzan Bazaar? She had no right or purpose . The Assistant Commissioner acted like a lady. If the Special Assistant exhibits grace she should apologize
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May 06, 2021 12:19am
I don't advocate the act of the advisor but these so-called civil servants violate the dignity of citizens every day.
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May 06, 2021 12:21am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, you are 100% right
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May 06, 2021 12:21am
Bureaucrat are servants of the public but always act like master. They consider themselves superior to all. it was an accurate reaction, but if PTI truly wants to correct bureaucracy then they should do systematic changes.
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May 06, 2021 12:44am
Dr Awan being public representative has the right to take action against the Asst. commissioner...it was her duty to monitor the quality of food item sold in the Ramzan Bazar. .she is public servant gating from tax payer money .What about these Bubu type government behavior with common man...PML leaders like Sanaullah giving threat to officials of punjab Govt,no media condemned it
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May 06, 2021 12:55am
Unacceptable arrogant, rude behaviour by advisor.
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May 06, 2021 01:45am
There is a golden rule in management. Appreciate in public and reprimand in private.
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May 06, 2021 01:50am
The arrogant civil servants should be put in their place, female or male, well done Firdous, you have our full suppor, clean the dirt.
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May 06, 2021 01:59am
Insults and rude remarks aside, the main reason why shopkeepers are able to sell substandard and overpriced items is because of the inability or unwillingness of the local authorities to enforce the rules. AC sahiba completed CSS unlocking a life of excess and could care less about the plight of the people of her area.
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May 06, 2021 03:16am
The right outcome would have been to sack the ac for her incompetence. Hardly had any answers they believe they are some sort of gods in office well done Dr awan
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May 06, 2021 03:26am
This official gravitas, mandated to her through the office she holds, demands an exhibition of grace, decorum, and above all, restraint.
grace, decorum and restraint associated with FAA is a grave travesty of sanity
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May 06, 2021 03:27am
@Iftekhar Khan, dear, i just wonder if her vocal chords were as heavy as she is, how loud she would be
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May 06, 2021 04:57am
I fully support Firdous Ashiq Awan, she did the right thing
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May 06, 2021 05:05am
Public servant cannot be reprimanded publicly ?
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May 06, 2021 08:02am
An illustration of the proverbial truth: it takes two to make a quarrel, both ladies were unfortunately tactless, the Special Advisor could have exhibited more restrain, no doubt and could have advised her to show up and improve her performance politely; on the other hand, young officer should have had shown more patience and due regard to public representative by assuring more proactive approach in welfare of common man. Hopefully, both will learn and be more decent in demeanor....good luck
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May 06, 2021 08:09am
A
The minister has no such right but also officers have no absolute privilege to insult and humiliate common.
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May 06, 2021 11:48am
Well done to Dr. Firdous.. Fully support her.
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May 06, 2021 12:19pm
Mimister is higher in herarecy of authority, what Minister said nothing wrong. These are public servants and answerable to public elected representatives.
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May 06, 2021 12:19pm
Firdous has no match to the AC. Firdous is appointed with no qualifications, doesn't even know how to hold a conversation.
AC, who is a Cornell grad with distinction, has won other awards , was decent in her dealing with Firdous.
In this country ppl without merit can take out their frustrations and boss around ppl who have earned their position. Nothing has changed in decades. Then we wonder about brain drain and question ppl patriotism.
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May 06, 2021 02:03pm
Public servants are answerable to the public. We are quick to pass judgements on politicians, whereas commissioned officers face no such scrutiny. Bureaucracy is answerable to elected members of public who are answerable to the generals public. This is democracy works. The more transparent accountability is, the better the system.
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