LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s principal secretary Tahir Khurshid was transferred on Tuesday apparently in the wake of an investigation into assets beyond means initiated against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The bureau had summoned Mr Khurshid on July 8 in an assets beyond means matter.

The NAB notice states, “Details of investment in shares/companies by you and your family members, bank accounts held by you and your family members, copies of assets declarations pro formas submitted by you to the department and copies of income tax returns and wealth statements submitted to the [Federal Bureau of Revenue] should be provided to the bureau.”

However, he skipped the hearing but he later appeared before the investigators but did not submit the required record of his properties.

Official is on NAB radar

The NAB has served a questionnaire on him directing him to provide complete details of his benami assets and related bank transactions within 10 days. The NAB had also asked Mr Khurshid to provide complete details of the movable and immovable properties owned/acquired/purchased/sold/disposed of by him and his family members.

According to the Punjab government’s notification, “Mr Tahir Khurshid (PAS/BS-21), Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Punjab, is hereby relieved of his duties in Government of the Punjab, with immediate effect, and directed to report to the Establishment Division, for further orders.”

Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department Secretary Aamir Jan was transferred and posted as principal secretary to chief minister with immediate effect. He would also hold additional charge of the post of secretary (energy).

Reportedly, Mr Khurshid was appointed principal secretary to the CM late last year on the request of Mr Buzdar to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Mr Khurshid had developed good relations with Buzdar during his posting as the commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan – the home district of the CM – during Shehbaz Sharif’s rule in Punjab.

The PML-N had levelled serious allegations against Mr Buzdar and Mr Khurshid of minting money through award of contracts for development projects and postings and transfers of bureaucrats. It had alleged that the officer had been acting as a “front man” of Mr Buzdar.

Meanwhile, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Sarah Aslam will hold additional charge of the post of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education secretary for a period of three months or till the posting of a regular incumbent.

Zafarwal Assistant Commissioner Irfan Marth was made OSD while Muhammad Arshad, awaiting posting, was posted as Zafarwal AC, Shakargarh AC was also made OSD while Zainul Abbidein, awaiting posting, was posted as Shakargarh AC, and awaiting posting Anum Ali Khan was posted as Pasrur AC.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2021