SWABI: Officials and probationers of the 45th Common Training Programme presently under-going training at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), Lahore, said here on Sunday that the role of civil servants was critical in strengthening national institutions.

During a visit to the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, they told mediapersons that no one could deny the vital contribution of civil servants in strengthening democracy.

They were led by Mohammad Ali Afzal, a faculty member of CSA. The group met Engr Jehangir Bashar, Rector GIK Institute, Ahsan Basir Sheikh, Pro-Rector (admin and finance) and various other officials.

The CSA trainees said vibrant institutions had strengthened democracy and restored people’s confidence in them.

“The civil servants play a vital role in formulation of domestic and foreign policy while keeping in mind the prevailing environment,” said Mr Afzal.

He said at present the officers received common training at the academy and later they would be imparted special training in their occupational groups which they would join soon.

He said the visiting officers belonged to different groups and they would join different departments.

A briefing was given to them by Mr Bashar about different engineering disciplines and management sciences being taught at the GIK Institute.

The officers visited different faculties and exchanged ideas with the academia. They lauded the facilities provided by the Institute to the students.

PO ARRESTED: A proclaimed offender wanted by police for last 11 years in a double murder case was arrested on Sunday.

SHO Topi police station Khalid Iqbal said PO Farooq Ahmad accompanied by his father and brother had killed a man and his son over a decade ago. His father and brother were arrested. The culprit belonged to Kotha village. He was arrested in a raid on a house in Kotha village on a tip-off.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2018