827 accountability cases filed against govt employees

589 officials penalised as CM orders swift disposal of 198 pending cases

PESHAWAR:

A total of 827 cases involving government officers and employees have been reported in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa since October 2025, with disciplinary proceedings resulting in penalties against 589 officials, while 198 cases are still under process.

The figures were presented at a high-level meeting chaired by K-P Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi to review accountability proceedings against government officials and employees. The meeting was given a detailed briefing on disciplinary action taken since October 2025.

Officials said decisions had been issued in 629 of the 827 cases, while 198 remained pending. Of the decided cases, 589 officials were punished through various disciplinary measures, whereas 40 employees were cleared of the charges.

The accountability drive resulted in the dismissal of 128 employees from service, while 18 were removed from service and six were compulsorily retired. Two employees were demoted, one was arrested, and salary recoveries were ordered from 89 employees. Promotions of 39 officials were also withheld.

In addition, 16 employees were served charge sheets, salary cuts were imposed on 14, and 10 employees were suspended. As many as 155 officials were issued warnings, while 52 received reprimands.

Unauthorized absence emerged as the most common offence, accounting for 447 cases, or 54 per cent of the total. The briefing said 120 cases involved negligence of duty, while 75 each related to corruption and financial irregularities and incompetence.

Fourteen cases of misconduct, 13 cases of poor supervision and 11 cases of violation of rules were also reported.

The meeting reviewed all 827 cases in detail, including those related to unauthorized absence, negligence, corruption, financial irregularities, incompetence and other violations. The disciplinary proceedings included 221 show-cause notices, 279 cases seeking explanations, 184 inquiries, 102 suspensions, 23 expressions of displeasure and nine cases in which officials were placed on the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) status.

Department-wise, 305 cases originated from district offices, 263 from attached departments and institutions, and 259 from central departments.

The meeting was also informed about disciplinary action taken during field visits to health facilities. As many as 90 officers and employees of District Headquarters Hospital Swabi were suspended, while 61 officials and employees of District Headquarters Hospital Lakki Marwat also faced suspension.