Punjab govt reviews employees present at capital’s protests

Notification issued for strict action against those absent from offices

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government has geared up monitoring of its employees after the protest by civil servants in the federal capital on Wednesday. The provincial government has decided to conduct strict action against the workers who participated in demonstrations, a spokesperson shared on Thursday.

The Punjab Department of Services and General Administration deputy secretary issued a letter to the Punjab Board of Revenue senior member, Punjab Planning and Development chairman, Punjab Chief Minister Inspection Team chairman, and Administrative Secretaries across the province. It read that it has been observed that provincial employees were present at the protests against the federal government in Islamabad. Such employees committed misconduct as they remained absent from their duties, it added.

All administrative secretaries have been directed to ensure full attendance of the workers and carry out an action against the absentee employees as per laws and regulations, the spokesperson mentioned. The circular also directed to send a report of action against absentee employees to the provincial chief secretary. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the Punjab government has started formulating lists of all such workers.

The federal capital had turned into a war zone on Wednesday as the government employees, protesting for a pay rise, clashed with police while attempting to enter the restricted Red Zone – an area where the government and military buildings are located.

Protests were held at different points of the city, including Constitution Avenue, outside Secretariat Block and Cabinet Block. The demonstrators also broke the main entrance door of the Cabinet Block.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2021.