RAWALPINDI: The entry gate to the office of district coordination officer (DCO) Rawalpindi was bustling with government officers who clutching their papers and files rushed towards the meeting hall.

The meeting was convened by the provincial minister for labor, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar to give a briefing about the development schemes in his constituency.

However, there was one slight aberration, the minister was himself absent and the meeting was chaired by his unemployed younger brother, Raja Attique Sarwar. The meeting was called so that he could review the pace of the uplift projects in Murree and Kotli Sattian, known as PP-1 constituency.

The two-hour long official meeting arranged for the brother of the Punjab minister was attended by the executive district officer (EDO) finance and planning, district officer roads, district officer buildings, superintendent engineer communications and works (C&W), district officer planning and other relevant officers.

According to the officers who were privy to the meeting, the minister’s brother was furious over the pace of work on the 11-km-long road from Cherrah to Bann in PP-1. He also discussed the progress on some under construction government schools in Kotli Sattian.

According to sources, the officers reassured the brother of the minister about their progress, whenever Mr Attique would get enraged over the slow pace of work.

“Now we will be answerable to people who are not holding any public office,” a government official told Dawn, seeking anonymity. He added: “How can the brother of a minister dictate government officials on administrative affairs?”

“Although under no law a government officer is answerable to a person not holding public office, we cannot object to the brother of a minister because we fear a backlash. This practice should come to an end,” another officer complained.

Despite repeated attempts, Raja Attique Sarwar could not be contacted.

EDO finance and planning Rawalpindi, Imran Qureshi, confirmed that the meeting was held with the brother of the Punjabs Labour Minister in the chair.

“It is ok if the brother of a minister is briefed on developmental projects going on in his constituency. The lawmakers have to give relief to their constituents, no matter if they appoint their brothers or relatives as their nominees,” the EDO explained.