Secy Edu punished for favouring ex-Secy BISE

By: Amraiz Khan

LAHORE - Secretary Higher Education, Azhar Hussain Shamim was made OSD on Wednesday but why he has been meted out such a treatment is a question that remained on the tip of every tongue in the Punjab Civil Secretariat.
There was strong perception in the secretariat that Azhar Shamim has to face such circumstances for bracketing himself with an officer of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Haji Muhammad Dogar about whom Chief Minister Punjab had not a good opinion.
Sources claimed that when CM announced to send the BISE position holder students delegation to visit UK and Germany, the CM directed the Secretary to manage the tour.
But Azhar Shamim first recommended Chairman Board, Muhammad Akram Kashmiri to head the student delegation and later presented name of Haji Muhammad Dogar.
It is worth mentioning that as per reports of agencies Haji Dogar does not enjoy good reputation in the education circles for his alleged involvement in financial irregularities in the BISE.
Sources in Punjab Civil Secretariat revealed that Haji Muhammad Dogar managed to initiate a summary for CM Punjab from Secretary Higher Education office for his extension in service prior to two months of his retirement by giving impression to the secretary that he was in good books of the CM.
But Punjab CM expressed his displeasure over the recommendation and Shahbaz not only rejected the summary but also removed Haji Dogar from the slot and ultimately transferred Azhar Hussain from his office.

The Nation: June 05, 2009