LAHORE: The federal government in a surprise move on Thursday late night transferred Punjab chief secretary retired Maj Azam Suleman Khan, a BS-22 officer, and directed him to report to the Establishment Division with immediate effect.

The transfer has been made at a time when Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is in Islamabad and reportedly met Prime Minister Imran Khan in the evening.

The federal government has also posted Jawwad Rafique Malik, a BS-22 officer, as Punjab chief secretary with immediate effect. Currently, he was serving as the communication division secretary in the federal government.

Mr Malik had served as Lahore Commissioner in 2013 and later served as secretary local government for over two years since 2014. He served as the National Highway Authority chairman for two years – one year each in the PML-N and present PTI government.

This is fourth high-level transfer during 20 months; Jawwad Rafique Malik appointed new CS

The bureaucratic circles were taken aback with the abrupt transfer orders as Mr Khan had apparently taken hold of all affairs across Punjab, holding meetings to discuss and pass directions ranging from coronavirus pandemic to averting wheat and flour crisis to law and order situation.

Mr Khan was also considered a close confidant of Prime Minister Imran Khan since he was posted as chief secretary in November last. Mr Khan was considered so close (to the prime minister) that there were speculations that the premier had given actual control of the province to the former chief secretary.

There were also speculations that the major reshuffle in bureaucracy in November was done by the former chief secretary in direct consultation with the prime minister. However, the speculations were dispelled by the prime minister himself as he said the chief minister would continue holding the reign of the province till the government completed its term.

Talking to Dawn, a bureaucrat said former chief secretary Azam Suleman Khan had scheduled his meeting for tomorrow morning (Friday) and a message was conveyed to him as late as 9:30pm. “I guess even Mr Khan was not aware of the development about his transfer,” the bureaucrat said.

According to a news website, this is the fourth time during the last 20 months that the chief secretary has been changed. Azam Suleman Khan had been appointed in November and he had replaced Yousaf Naeem Khokhar in this position.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2020