GUJRAT: The Punjab government has replaced the deputy commissioner and district police officer of Gujrat, the hometown of Chaudharys of PML-Q.

Though the reshuffle in the district administration and police was very much on the cards following change of command at the Punjab level, DC Dr Khurram Shahzad and DPO Umar Salamat were transferred on Friday ahead of a planned public rally by the PML-N in Kotla town of Gujrat on May 15, where PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz and CM Hamza Shahbaz are scheduled to address party supporters.

Additional deputy commissioner revenue Amir Shahzad and SP investigation Imran Razzaq Gondal have been given the additional and look-after charge of the DC and DPO offices, respectively.

The transferred officers had been posted in Gujrat on the recommendation of the PML-Q, a key ally of the then ruling PTI as per an agreement which gave the PML-Q a leverage in the administrative affairs of Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Chakwal, Bahawalpur and Daska tehsil of Sialkot district.

SSP Umar Salamat served here for 20 months while DC Dr Khurram Shahzad, considered very close to the PML-Q leadership, worked for 28 months in two stints.

Official sources said the DPO had relinquished the charge whereas the DC might do so on Saturday (today).

Acting DC Amir Shahzad will also perform as administrator of Gujrat district council and Metropolitan Corporation. Sources said regular appointments against the vacated seats might be made within a few days prior to the scheduled rally of the PML-N.

Published in Dawn,May 7th, 2022