Report reveals fudging of data on Citizens Portal

PM instructs authorities to show no leniency to those involved in negligence

ISLAMABAD:

A report presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday revealed that 58 officers of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces were found involved in fudging the figures regarding complaints on the Pakistan Citizen Portal.

The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to take action against the officers who had been found faking complaints registration and their resolution on the portal in an attempt to show increased satisfaction of the citizens at their respective dashboards.

“I personally monitor the public complaints on the Citizen Portal. No laxity to be tolerated in resolution of public complaints. No leniency will be shown towards the officers faking resolution of public complaints,” the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister Delivery Unit (PMDU) compiled the investigation report on the dashboards of 254 officers regarding frivolous complaints. The PMDU investigated the dashboards of 11 federal government officers, 154 in Punjab, 86 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and three in Sindh.

Read: PHC outlaws use of Pakistan Citizen's Portal against public servants

The investigation revealed that 44 Punjab officers were found involved in the fake complaints and the provincial chief secretary had already acted against them. Among them, three officers were terminated from service, seven suspended, and two had been transferred.

The K-P chief secretary acted against 39 government officers and suspended those involved. The respective inspectors general of police (IGPs) took action against 45 officers in Punjab, 10 in K-P and three in Sindh.

The prime minister issued instructions to the chief secretaries and the IGPs of the provinces that no laxity would be shown to those who showed negligence towards public complaints.

Citing an example, the PMDU report said that one complainant lodged 12 complaints and suggestions at the National Highway and Motorway Police and later expressed satisfaction and appreciation towards the department.

The PMDU recommended that the IDs used in frivolous complaints be blocked permanently. It also asked for seeking clarification from all concerned about misconception regarding public feedback.