GUJRAT: Scores of PML-Q workers led by a former tehsil nazim allegedly thrashed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Khurram Shahzad after storming into his office on Tuesday afternoon.

Around two dozen PML-Q workers reached the district complex where the DC was present to chair an official meeting to conduct interviews of some job applicants. The workers locked the office from inside and a few of them allegedly thrashed Dr Shahzad over cancellation of tenders of uplift projects the same day.

The DC also holds the additional charge of administrator of the district council.

The security guard informed police that sent a contingent led by the city deputy superintendent of police and detained a worker who was allegedly physically assaulting the DC. However, the detained man was released later.

Official sources said that after some senior PML-Q leaders intervened, the DC held a meeting with PML-Q MNA Chaudhry Hussain Elahi on Tuesday night where the issue was said to have been resolved. They said some PTI and PML-Q lawmakers were not pleased with senior administrative officers in Gujrat for not entertaining their recommendations in various affairs.

An inquiry by the local government department was already under way regarding the development contracts of the Municipal Corporation.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2019