LAHORE: Environment Secretary Zahid Hussain and Minister for Environment Bao Muhammad Rizwan had an exchange of harsh words over some administrative issues at the Environment Protection Department on Tuesday.

The department staff also left the offices after the incident.

Sources said there were differences between the minister and the secretary for quite some time on a host of administrative issues. After the exchange of hot words on Tuesday, Minister Rizwan sent a report to the chief secretary and the chief minister.

Sources said Secretary Zahid Hussain was not willing to work with the minister until the issue got resolved. Both the secretary and the minister were repeatedly contacted for their versions but they did not respond.

EPD Deputy Director Public Relations Sajid Bashir told Dawn that certain inquiries were under way on some administrative issues in the department. He said Tuesday’s incident took place due to administrative issues and inquiries.

Mr Bashir said the matter was now with the chief secretary and the chief minister.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2021