LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday ordered a probe into charges of corruption, negligence and misconduct against seven primary and secondary healthcare officers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The chief minister appointed cooperatives department Secretary Ahmad Raza Sarwar as inquiry officer.

According to a document available with Dawn, the charges include inefficiency, misconduct and corruption. He also ordered disciplinary proceedings against the officials under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act 2006.

The secretary was directed to submit his findings and recommendations within 60 days of initiation of the inquiry.

The inquiry was started against the department’s former project director Asad Naeem, additional secretary (finance and planning) Omer Farooq, additional secretary (Technical) Asim Altaf, director outsourcing/convener procurement committee Ahsan Naeem, procurement specialist Faizan Rahim, procurement manager Umair Najam, and procurement officer M Nadeem.

The officers were also directed to submit their defence to the inquiry officer within seven days of the date of the order.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2021