PESHAWAR, Oct 4: District Nazim Lower Dir Dr Muhammad Yaqoob Khan on Thursday paid a surprise visit to Government Polytechnic Institute, Timergara, and found five staff members of the institute absent from their offices.

Taking serious notice of the wilful absence of the staff from their duty, the District Nazim directed the authorities concerned that the one-day salary of the absent staff be deducted and deposited in the government treasury and the period of their absence be treated as leave without pay.

He further directed that attendance register be maintained properly in future and the principal of the institute must also ensure his presence in the office 5 to 10 minutes prior to the arrival of the subordinate staff.

Briefly expressing his views on this occasion, Dr Mohammad Yaqoob Khan said it was a matter of regret that Pakistan, being a heavily indebted country, had been spending huge amounts in the education sector but the outcome was zero.

Lack of the sense of responsibility and negligence in duty were major factors that were contributing to deteriorating standard of education, he maintained.

He stressed the need for bringing a positive change in the status quo and said that the change could be brought about only when all of us realise our responsibilities and work with missionary spirit and devotion without looking for facilities and resources.

Later, the District Nazim also inspected the students hostel and enquired about the problems facing the students. He assured that all the their problems would be taken up with the quarters concerned for redressal at the earliest.

The District Nazim also issued directive for planting saplings on the vacant spaces in the institute.—APP