PESHAWAR: Taking strong exception to the wilful absence of a number of officials, the Fata secretariat has initiated action against hundreds of its employees in the health and education departments.

This is in line with the directives of the additional chief secretary Fata to take stern action against the employees of various directorates and political administrations under the efficiency and discipline (E&D) rules, who have been absenting from duty without informing the authorities.

According to documents of the Fata Secretariat, the political authorities in Bajaur Agency had initiated action against 156 employees of the education department and seven employees of the health department, while action was launched against 12 officials of the education department in Khyber Agency.

In Orakzai Agency, action has been initiated against 65 employees of the health department and 264 of education department. In Kurram Agency 25 employees of the education and 171 of health department are facing action. Besides, action has been started in other agencies and FRs against officials skipping duty while regularly receiving their salaries.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2014