Subtle messages: Chief secretary skips CM’s meeting

Govt chalks out plan to control dengue in summer.

PESHAWAR: Differences between Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak and Chief Secretary Arbab Shahzad became more apparent on Monday when the latter did not attend a meeting at the CM Secretariat.

Sources within the government told The Express Tribune that Shahzad missed the meeting without citing a reason, proving the widening gulf between the two top officials of the provincial government.

“Surprisingly, Shahzad attended another meeting today at Governor House where political agents gathered to discuss tribal areas’ affairs,” said an official.

Senior bureaucratic sources told The Express Tribune the federal government was yet to consider the three names recommended by the province for the chief secretary’s slot.

“It is one of the most pressing issues at present but the federal government is yet to move its feet despite being asked to do so immediately a week ago,” a senior official added.

Dengue prevention

The government has chalked out a strategic plan for the prevention and control of dengue during summer and has allocated Rs60 million for its implementation.

A meeting chaired by the CM reviewed arrangements for preventing the expected spread of dengue in the province.  A provincial taskforce, oversight and technical committees at the divisional level, and dengue control teams at the district level have been constituted to ensure the plan’s implementation.

Health officials said the hilly areas of the northern and southern districts of the province were at high risk of dengue and the health department, in collaboration with other related departments, had completed all necessary preparations for next season.

Khattak directed the health minister to personally supervise all activities so the plan’s success could be ensured.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2014.