LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday changed three most senior bureaucrats and relieved 10 others to allow them to join their duties in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and report to the federal government.

The 10 senior secretaries were among 17 officials recalled by the establishment division 11 days ago. And the services and general administration department (S&GAD) had requested the chief minister to stop these transfers as the province was already facing a shortage of senior officials.

The government may retain some other officials, including the home secretary and Rawalpindi commissioner, who were also recalled from Punjab.

Additional Chief Secretary Tariq Najeeb Najmi was transferred and posted as senior member/member (revenue)/chief land commissioner/chief commissioner vice retired Capt Saeed Ahmad Nawaz, who was directed to report to the S&GAD for further orders.

Mr Najmi was replaced by retired Capt Ajaz Ahmad, who was awaiting posting.

Those who were relieved from duties in Punjab, included Punjab Healthcare Commission Chief Operating Officer Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Board of Revenue (Member Taxes) Asad Islam Mahni, Urban Sector Planning and Management Chief Executive Officer Dr Nasir Javed, officers on special duty Khaqan Babar and Dr Nasir Iqbal Malik, Forest Secretary Asadullah Khan, Chief Economist Nabeel Javed, Transport Secretary Haroonur Rafique, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Bahadur Qazi and Higher Education Secretary Khalid Saleem.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2018