July 17, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 13, 1429

KARACHI, July 16: A newly posted officer in the Karachi city government was on Wednesday not allowed to assume his responsibilities as Executive District Officer (EDO) of the transport group of offices.

The provincial government on July 11 posted Badar Jamil Mandro as new Transport EDO in the city government in place of the Director-General of the Mass Transit Cell, Malik Zahirul Islam, who was holding the additional charge of transport EDO.

Sources told Dawn that since City Nazim Mustafa Kamal was out of the country, Mr Mandro was asked to wait till his return so that he could allow Mr Mandro to join his new office.

However, Mr Mandro reached the transport department office in the Civic Centre on Wednesday to take charge but some of his subordinates reportedly closed the doors of the office on him and asked him to leave and come again only with the approval of Mr Kamal.

Mr Mandro was not available for comments.

A spokesman for the city government told Dawn that on March 25, the city nazim issued directives to all departmental heads that assumption of charge by those officials posted by the provincial government in the city government without his prior approval was against the administrative procedure and office decorum and, therefore, all such officers were required to submit their joining report directly to him.

He, however, expressed unawareness about the doors of the transport group of offices being closed on Mr Mandro by his subordinates on Wednesday.