LAHORE: Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik has snubbed Multan Division Commissioner Shanul Haq for backing ‘former’ Chief Executive Officer of Multan District Health Authority (DHA) Dr Munawar Abbas, ignoring the fact that he had been placed under on the corruption charges and other serious complaints.

The CS issued the ‘last warning’ to the commissioner for challenging the decision of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar of Dr Abbas’s removal/transfer as CEO DHA Multan and the commissioner’s use of influence for the former’s reappointment as the CEO.

The matter recently generated a controversy when Dr Abbas claimed that he was still holding the slot (CEO health) while the Punjab government was of the view that Arshad Malik had officially been appointed against the seat, an official told Dawn.

He said that a recent tug of war between both these officers got attention of the CM when Mr Abbas tried to occupy the office forcibly while Arshad Malik got a criminal case lodged against him on the behalf of the Punjab government.

The official said Dr Abbas had got strength after the commissioner backed him by writing to the Punjab government while declaring him an indispensable officer for the top health slot.

The act of the commissioner and Dr Abbas irked the authorities, including the health secretary and the CS.

The official said Dr Abbas was posted the CEO Multan on July 18, 2018, and a departmental inquiry was initiated against him under the Punjab Employees, Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act 2006 by the CM on Feb 2, 2020 while secretary labour Sarah Aslam was appointed as the inquiry officer. The services of Dr Abbas were placed under suspension through another order on the same day on allegations of misconduct, mismanagement, favouritism and corruption. However, Dr Abbas had got a stay against his suspension from the Lahore High court, which had directed the competent authority to reexamine the matter.

In his letter to Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary retired Captain Muhammad Usman, the Multan commissioner declared Dr Abbas the most competent officer of the city and the only one eligible to work for the health CEO’s post.

“It is worth mentioning that the level of commitment and zeal and zest exhibited by Dr Munawar Abbas, CEO DHA Multan, during Covid-19 pandemic has been nothing short of remarkable,” reads the letter of the commissioner.

Mr Haq asked the health secretary to revisit his decision as it had become imperative that Dr Abbas who had the experience of successful management should have command on the Covid-19 combat operation in Multan.

“Forgoing in view, I would hereby request you to kindly withdraw/cancel the transfer orders as mentioned above in the public interest and he may kindly be allowed to continue working as the CEO, DHA Multan in the wake of the Corona pandemic,” reads the letter of the Multan commissioner.

The higher authorities believe that this letter has provoked Dr Abbas to challenge the writ of the government and occupy the office of the CEO Multan illegally that consequently led to a tension, creating many problems.

The Punjab government, in its letter (a copy available with Dawn) of displeasure written on July 26, addressed the Multan commissioner and snubbed him in a very harsh tone.

It was conveyed to Mr Haq that Dr Munawar was placed under suspension and transferred on corruption and other serious complaints on the directions of the CM while an inquiry was also underway in the Anti-Corruption Establishment against him.

“Your office’s letter for cancellation of transfer order of Dr Munawar Abbas has come to light which were issued after approval of the chief minister Punjab after a legal debate,” reads the letter issued by the Services and General Administration Department Punjab.

It declared that in such circumstances, the commissioner’s letter was highly objectionable and irked the CM.

“It also reflects your casual attitude towards the direction of competent authority/chief executive of Punjab and apathy towards problems of general public,” the letter further reads.

It stated that it is unbecoming of an officer holding a very important/sensitive assignment. “I have, therefore, been directed to convey displeasure of chief secretary on account of non-compliance of orders of competent authority/chief minister Punjab,” reads the letter.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2020