MULTAN, Jan 13: The Punjab Information, Culture and Youth Affairs Department has realized the injustice it has been subjecting to D.G Khan for the last eight years by posting the Dera arts council programme officer in Lahore.

Afraz Ahmed had been posted at Dera Arts Council in 1994 after official circles alleged his controversial absorption in the Punjab Council of Arts (Pucar) from the Tourism Department where he was working as administration officer.

Though he was posted at Dera, he had always worked at the provincial capital — first as the personal staff officer of the Information minister and then in the same capacity with the provincial information secretary. It may be mentioned that the provincial secretaries are not entitled to enjoy the services of a staff officer.

On the other hand, the Dera Arts Council had become almost non-functional in the absence of its programme officer. But, the irregularity on the expanse of Dera Arts Council budget had remained unnoticed until recently when a section of press pointed this out.

Meanwhile, the outgoing IC&YA secretary Shaukat Ali Shah had transferred and posted Afraz Ahmed as assistant director (Literature) at the Pucar headquarters in Lahore a few days before relinquishing charge for the incumbent, Taimur Azmat Osman.

However, he has been directed to continue work as PSO to the IC&YA secretary. The department has yet to post the successor of Afraz Ahmed at Dera Arts Council to infuse life in the council.