GUJRAT: The district administration and the police are facing dearth of senior staff as a number of key posts, including that of Gujrat deputy commissioner, SPs (investigation and headquarters), additional DCs (general and headquarters) have been lying vacant for months.

Moreover, the Punjab government has sent Gujrat acing DC Irfan Ali Kathia on three-month mid-career management course at NIPA academy, Lahore, where he will report on Monday for the commencement of the course which is mandatory to be promoted to grade 19.

Mr. Kathia, who in his capacity as additional DC (revenue) was given the additional charge of Gujrat DC following the transfer and posting of Liaqat Ali Chatha as Sargodha DC, had been posted in Gujrat 22 months ago as additional district collector (ADC).

However, he has been directed to continue as Gujrat ADC (R) and acting DC till further orders, but sources in the administration say that Mr. Kathia will relinquish the charge in the next few days since continuing with the official duty in Gujrat while commuting daily from Lahore to Gujrat would not be possible for him. And he had already informed his seniors in the Service and General Administration Department (S&GAD).

Mr. Kathia, a grade-18 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service’s 35th common had been interviewed by the Punjab government for at least six times during the last as many months for posting as DCO/DC in various districts, including that of Gujrat, but he could not get posting as head of any district due to unknown reasons.

Now, Gujrat district will function without a deputy commissioner and ADC (revenue) following Mr. Kathia’s joining the course at NIPA.

On the other hand, two other senior officials -- District Monitoring Officer Waqar Khan and ADC (finance and planning) Saadia Mehar -- are on a few weeks leave whereas the seat of ADC(G) was handed over to Gujrat Assistant Commissioner (headquarter) Majid Bin Ahmed as an additional charge following the retirement of Nawaz Gondal, and the post of ADC headquarter has also been lying vacant.

Similarly, two key posts of Gujrat SP (investigation) and SP (headquarter) have been lying vacant for the last more than six months as last SP (headquarter) Kamran Mumtaz had held the dual charge of investigation till his transfer to Gujranwala as Saddar SP back in August 2016.

Pervaiz Elahi: Pakistan Muslim League Quaid’s central leader and former deputy prime minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has reiterated his demand for elimination of all “terrorists safe heavens” in Punjab without any political consideration.

He was talking to the bereaved family of SSP Zahid Gondal, who laid down his life in the suicide attack on The Mall recently, after offering condolence at Sindha village in Mandi Bahauddin district on Sunday.

He said those who were provided the terrorists protection for their own electoral needs should also be nabbed.

He emphatically said that was possible only through Rangers operation like the one in Karachi which should be without any discrimination and political consideration.

He lauded the sacrifices rendered by Punjab police, army, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and other institutions for the country, saying it was a bright chapter of the nation’s history.

Mr Elahi appreciated courage of the bereaved family of the slain officer and said SSP Gondal was respected in every circle.

He was accompanied by former Punjab law minister Muhammad Basharat Raja and local party leaders.

Published in Dawn, February 20th , 2017