Punjab chief secretary transferred in less than one year

LAHORE: Jawad Rafique Malik, federal secretary Communications Division, has been transferred and posted as Punjab chief secretary vice Maj Azam Suleman (R), who has been directed to report to the Establishment Division for further orders.

The Establishment Division issued a notification on Thursday. Earlier, Jawad Rafique has served in Punjab as secretary C&W, secretary local governments and Lahore commissioner.

Sources privy to the development said former chief secretary Azam Suleman was given full assurance by Prime Minister Imran Khan that no political interference would be made in the administrative affairs. They said that during less than one-year tenure of Azam Suleman, administrative affairs had improved and it was due to his efforts, an effective mechanism was established to fight coronavirus and control prices of edible items.

According to sources, the outgoing chief secretary had refused to allow political interference in the administrative affairs which had soured his relations with the political leadership. During his tenure as the chief secretary, Azam Suleman had at times ignored directives that he felt were undue interference in the administrative affairs. Sources said the situation widened gulf between the chief minister and the chief secretary which ultimately led to the transfer. Sources in the CM office, however, said there was no conflict or undue political interference in the administrative affairs, adding the transfer was a routine matter.