MULTAN, Nov 24: Work at the excise and taxation directorate has been marred as a result of a row between two senior officials over the occupation of the office of regional director.

The controversy started two weeks ago when Multan region former E&T director Ghulam Murtaza Shah reportedly secured orders of his posting at Multan from the service tribunal.

Mr Shah was transferred to Lahore from Multan four months ago and Sheikh Iqbal was posted in his place. Apart from departmental strife, Mr Shah was transferred due to a protest drive launched against him by the local traders over the issue of property tax.

Sources in the E&T department said an inquiry was also initiated against Mr Shah after his transfer on a number of allegations. Later, he was suspended from service by the provincial government.

He, however, moved the service tribunal against his transfer reportedly taking plea that an official could not be transferred against his (or her) will during the last couple of years of reaching the age of super annuation.

The tribunal decided the matter in his favour. Mr Shah wasted no time to land at the Multan E&T directorate to take charge of the office on the tribunal orders. But, the incumbent allegedly refused to leave the charge until directed by the department head to do so.

However, there has so far been no direction from the authorities concerned to end the impasse, consequently both, Mr Sheikh and Mr Shah, are coming to the directorate as the regional head in their respective 'right.'

Sources said the situation affected working at the directorate especially when both the 'directors' remained in the office. Meanwhile, the Punjab Assistant Excise and Taxation Officers and Inspectors Association has vowed to lodge a case against Mr Shah for 'harassing' the staff if he does not refrain from insisting to take charge of the office forcibly in violation of the service rules.