NAROWAL: The District Education Authority (DEA), Narowal, has been embroiled in allegations of corruption worth millions of rupees in public funds, Dawn has learnt.

According to details, Muhammad Faisal Rafique, a resident of Shikargarh tehsil, had filed an application to the DEA CEO alleging that Narowal District Education Officer (DEO) secondary Zahid Mahmood Rana had embezzled millions of rupees from the government treasury. The complainant also sent an affidavit and documents pertaining to the alleged corruption.

The petitioner had alleged that the DEO had embezzled public funds in collusion with contractors from various heads, including vehicle and generator fuel, stationery, printing and publication among others, through bogus entries.

He said that there had been no loadshedding for the past two years and the government vehicle had not been on the roads for many years.

He claimed the DEO was still making changes in government records. The complainant demanded immediate suspension of the ‘corrupt’ officer and seizure of government records from his possession.

Narowal DEA CEO Arif Shahzad formed a two-member inquiry committee on July 28 comprising Government Higher Secondary School, Kot Naina Principal Muhammad Iqbal as its convenor and Narowal Deputy Education Officer Ghazanfar Ali as member. However, the accused DEO rejected the committee.

On this, the CEO formed another inquiry committee on Aug 7 and appointed Ashraf Ali Mughal as convener and Senior Subject Specialist Muhammad Ashfaq as member and sought a report.

Narowal Deputy Commissioner and DEA Chairman Syed Hassan Raza also took notice of the allegations and ordered the CEO to conduct an impartial and merit-based inquiry. He said that no one would be allowed to embezzle government funds and strict action would be taken as per the law after an inquiry.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2025