NAROWAL: An inquiry officer has recommended that the Punjab School Education Department (SED) initiate legal and departmental proceedings under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (Peeda) Act, 2006 against the Narowal district education officer (DEO-Secondary Education) over allegations of corruption and financial irregularities.

According to the inquiry report, the DEO allegedly caused a loss of Rs5 million to the provincial exchequer through corrupt practices.

The inquiry was initiated following a complaint filed on March 2, 2026, by Muhammad Kabir Tabassum, Principal of Government High School Jasar, Narowal, with the secretary of School Education Punjab and the director (Public Instruction) (Secondary Education), Lahore.

The complaint alleged misuse of authority, fictitious entries in stock registers, fake purchase bills, fraudulent claims of travelling allowance and daily allowance (TA/DA), bogus records relating to stationery, petrol and repair funds, along with other financial irregularities.

On May 14, 2026, Najma Yasir, Section Officer (Enquiries-III), referred the complaint to the director administration (female) for an inquiry. Inquiry Officer Shumaila Saman, Director Administration (Female), completed the preliminary inquiry on June 17, 2026 and submitted her report to the section officer (Enquiries-III).

In her report, the inquiry officer recommended a detailed investigation into allegations of violations of financial rules, misuse of authority, lack of transparency in official affairs and other financial irregularities.

She also recommended initiating departmental proceedings against DEO Rana Zahid Mahmood under the Peeda Act, 2006.

Despite the preliminary inquiry reportedly establishing evidence of financial irregularities, the Punjab School Education Department has yet to initiate departmental proceedings under the Peeda Act or take any disciplinary action against the officer.

Repeated attempts were made to contact Rana Zahid Mahmood through phone calls and text messages for his version, but he did not respond.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026