Punjab govt approves ex-Pakistan leaves despite ban

An exception to this ban includes Hajj, Umrah leaves

LAHORE: The Punjab government, disregarding the ban on foreign travel of civil and police officers, issued an NOC to the contrary for officials from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and several other departments.

Initially, in light of the orders issued by Punjab CM Sardar Usman Buzdar, the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), after the approval of Chief Secretary Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, issued a formal notification under which a ban was imposed on remaining the ex-Pakistan leaves.

An exception to this ban includes Hajj and Umrah leaves, visit to religious sites and trips for medical reasons. In addition to this, an ex-Pakistan leave from November 6 to November 15 was granted to Principal Secretary to the CM Dr Muhammad Shoaib Akbar to visit the United States.

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During the days of his ex-Pakistan leave, the additional charge was given to Punjab Communication and Works Secretary Tahir Khursheed in the issued notification. Similarly, Deputy Secretary of CM Secretariat, Jamshed Hussain Siyal was also given ex-Pakistan leave to visit London for seven days while Multan Additional Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Sherazi has also been granted ex-Pakistan leave for nine days. Secretary services, on being contacted over the matter, said that the applications of the officers for ex-Pakistan leave were approved through proper channels. “However, sometimes the notifications are issued with a delay.” He added that on the directives of the chief minister and chief secretary, all civil and police officers of Grades 1 to 22 of the province have been banned on ex-Pakistan leave, which is being implemented.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2019.