Zain ul Abideen Abid
Recently, a troubling incident involving the Deputy Commissioner of Multan highlighted significant issues within local governance. During a visit to Shahbaz Sharif Hospital, the Deputy Commissioner reportedly slapped pharmacy student Atif, an act that raises serious concerns about the mental state and professionalism within the bureaucracy. “According to media reports, the Deputy Commissioner who slapped the student deleted footage from mobile phone cameras with the help of the police to protect himself from the law.” This incident exemplifies a broader issue: many public servants seem to operate under the assumption that they are above the law, reflecting a troubling disconnect between authority and accountability.
“The Medical Superintendent of Shahbaz Sharif Hospital, Dr. Nazir Haji, stated that a prescription for one patient indicated 10 paracetamol tablets were to be given, but only 6 were provided, which angered the Deputy Commissioner.” “When the DC office was asked for a statement regarding the incident, the spokesperson stated, ‘The Deputy Commissioner questioned private trainee dispenser Muhammad Atif Nawaz about the lack of medication for patients, but he could not provide a satisfactory answer and was found involved in preparing bogus data for medicines provided free of charge to patients.’ According to the district administration spokesperson, Muhammad Atif Nawaz later attempted to distort the facts by creating a propaganda-based video to avoid inquiry.
However, the citizens do not accept this statement as truth, as dozens of respectable individuals present witnessed the DC’s misuse of power. It was also reported that the Deputy Commissioner had the mobile phone footage deleted with the help of a police squad. Citizens are now demanding that the Chief Minister of Punjab appoint a reputable and capable officer as Deputy Commissioner in Multan.”
The Multan administration has been notably ineffective in fulfilling its fundamental responsibilities. The city faces numerous challenges, including rampant self-created inflation, widespread encroachments, the circulation of fake newspapers, and illegal petrol sales. The establishment of unauthorized petrol units further illustrates the neglect and incompetence of the Deputy Commissioner. Despite years passing, residents have not seen an honest and capable leader like Naseem Saqib, who once served the city with integrity. Under the current Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Waseem Hamid, the situation has deteriorated. Encroachment on footpaths around the DC office has become commonplace, and the administration fails to regulate market prices for essential goods. Instead, common shopkeepers are subjected to heavy fines, which further exacerbates the economic strain on ordinary citizens. The price control magistrate’s admission that they are instructed to impose hefty fines to boost revenue only adds to the disillusionment felt by the public.
The biggest issue for the Multan administration right now is to control self-created inflation and provide relief to the public in line with government policies. Currently, 80% of the milk sold in the city is adulterated, and market prices are not being regulated. When shopkeepers receive expensive vegetables and groceries from the markets, how can they sell them at government rates?
It is the responsibility of the Deputy Commissioner of Multan to instruct the Secretary of the Market Committee, Chaudhry Rustam, to strictly verify the bills of items sold in the market, but this is not happening. The truth is that the Market Committee and the Multan district administration are responsible for this inflation, and the benefits of government policies are not reaching the public. While the Deputy Commissioner resorted to violence against a student for giving four fewer paracetamol tablets, the performance of the DO Industries, Mateen, has been zero since he took charge. Citizens are questioning why he has not taken action against illegal profiteers and those selling petrol unlawfully on the streets.
“Since Mateen’s appointment, activities related to illegal petrol sales in Multan have increased, putting citizens’ lives at risk. Price control magistrates file 4 to 5 or more FIRs against shopkeepers every month to curb inflation, yet, according to reports, Mateen has not filed a single prosecution. Can the Deputy Commissioner take action against him? No, here officers support the crimes and incompetence of their peers while dealing harshly with the weak.”
Overall, the conduct of the Multan administration, as perceived by its citizens, is deeply concerning and demands urgent attention and reform. The erosion of public trust in local governance poses a significant threat to societal stability and must be addressed to restore faith in public service. The Chief Minister’s intervention in this matter is a crucial step toward ensuring justice for Atif and addressing the misconduct of officials. By taking notice of the incident, the CM signals a commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect citizens from abuse of power. Such actions are essential in restoring public trust in the administration, demonstrating that no one is above the law, regardless of their position.