KASUR, May 12: The district nazim ordered action against many government officials who were absent from their duties on Saturday ‘in connection with a ruling party rally in Islamabad.’

The ARD-backed nazim, Rana Muhammad Hayat, ordered employees on Friday to ensure their presence in offices on Saturday.

The nazim, along with his deputies, raided various offices, including the offices of the DCO and the EDOs. EDO (education) Abdul Rehman Malik was found absent from his office at which the nazim ordered his immediate suspension from service.

The nazim and his team also raided a number of schools in the city and found that scores of them, including Government High School, Maan, Government Primary School, Gandum Mandi; MC Primary School, Basti Lal Shah; Government Taeedul Islam School, Government Islam School, MC School, Basti Chiragh Shah, and MC School, Kot Rukan Din, were locked. The area people told them that the teachers have gone to Islamabad.

The nazim also found that secretaries and other employees of 10 union councils were absent. More than 50 sweepers of the TMA were also absent from their duties.

The nazim said a stern action would be taken against those who failed to justify their absence on May 14.