SIALKOT: Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan is under fire after reprimanding the Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sialkot.
Dr Awan visited a Ramazan Bazaar in the city on Sunday and inspected the quality of food there. Upon seeing substandard food items being sold at one of the stalls. Dr Awan demanded an explanation from Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sialkot Sonia Sadaf.
The official started arguing when Awan loses her temperament and censuring the assistant commissioner for her comments and negligence. In the video, Awan could be heard saying that she had visited the Ramazan Bazaar in every city of the province and the situation in Sialkot was the worst.
Upon being chided by the chief minister’s aide, Sonia Sadaf could be seen angrily leaving the bazaar and reportedly said that the conversation could have been held in a civilised manner.
Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik issued a statement, saying that he condemns the use of indecent language by Dr Awan against a government official.
He said despite coronavirus and hot weather, government officials are performing their duties in the field and no one should be allowed to humiliate them. The provincial chief secretary said that he has conveyed his reservations to CM Buzdar over the Sialkot incident.
Exchange of hot words between Firdous Ashiq Awan and a civil servant (I was told she is Assistant Commissioner Sialkot).
Publicly scolding civil servants can get you brownie points but will take a toll on the morale of those who have to execute your policies. pic.twitter.com/Cjavt5tio2
— Hasaan Khawar (@hasaankhawar) May 2, 2021
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also showed her support of the female officer. She said civil servants and bureaucrats are appointed to any administrative position after passing competitive exams and are not “selected” to their posts.
She said any minister or the chief minister’s special assistant has no right to insult any officer. She demanded Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan apologises to AC Sonia Sadaf.
اپنی ناکامی اور بدترین ارکردگی کا غصہ سرکاری افسران پر نکالنا فرعونیت ہے۔رمضان بازاروں ميں غير معياری،مہنگی اشياء حکومتی نالائقی کا منہ بولتا ثبوت ہیں۔سرکاری افسران آپ کے ذاتی ملازم نہیں۔سيالکوٹ کے رمضان بازار ميں خاتون اسسٹنٹ کمشنر سونیا صدف کے ساتھ ہونے والا سلوک قابل مذمت ہے۔
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) May 2, 2021
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar also expressed his concerns over the incident. He said he knew the assistant commissioner, adding that she is an efficient and competent officer. He added that the role of female officers in governance must be appreciated.
