LAHORE: The Punjab Communication & Works (C&W) Department has issued a fresh transfer order for a highways sub-divisional officer (SDO) after cancelling two earlier orders affecting her postings within a span of three days, without publicly explaining the reasons for the changes.
According to an order, available with Dawn, issued on Oct 15, Fatima Khan, SDO Highways Subdivision, Shujabad, was transferred to the corresponding subdivision in Kahror Pacca against a vacant post with immediate effect.
The department also assigned additional charge of the Shujabad subdivision to Syed Adnan Hassan Gardezi, senior sub-engineer (BPS-16), Highways Subdivision, Multan, for three months or until a regular incumbent assumes charge.
The latest order follows a series of changes initiated on Sept 25 when the department transferred Ms Khan from Shujabad to the C&W Department in Lahore and assigned additional charge of her post to Mr Gardezi. A day later, on Sept 26, the department issued another order transferring Muhammad Tariq, SDO, Highways Subdivision, Jalalpur Pirwala, to Kahror Pucca against a vacant post. Ms Khan, then described as an assistant engineer/SDO awaiting posting, was posted to Jalalpur Pirwala in his place.
However, on Sept 27, the department cancelled both orders with immediate effect, restoring the previous position.
The Oct 15 order has now posted Ms Khan to Kahror Pucca, the same subdivision to which Mr Tariq had been transferred under the subsequently withdrawn order. Mr Gardezi has again been assigned additional charge of Shujabad.
The sequence of orders has raised questions about the administrative rationale behind the repeated changes.
The department has not provided a formal explanation for cancelling the earlier orders or issuing the fresh posting directive.
The C&W Multan officials, contacted for a comment, said the orders had been issued in the public interest but did not elaborate on the reasons for the decisions.
The available orders do not establish whether the repeated changes affected ongoing highway projects or the routine functioning of the subdivisions.
C&W secretary Raja Jahangir was not available to comment.
Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2026
