Who call the shots in Sahiwal division (Neeli Bar)?
Bureaucratic reshuffle has become a new normal in three districts of Sahiwal division during the tenure of PTI government
Prime Minister Imran Khan often lecture us about the importance of merit, rule of law and independent working of government officials. PM Imran Khan also praise the performance of CM Punjab Usman Buzdar.
The spokesman of Punjab government also told us on daily basis that the transfers and postings of bureaucracy are carried out on merit and on the basis of performance. Punjab government transfers the officials of the district administration when they failed to serve the people and satisfy the CM Punjab.
The Punjab government claims that District police Officers (DPOs) and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) posted on merit without any political or other external influence and involvement.
But the the senior journalist and analyst of Jang Group Tariq Butt has exposed these claims. He wrote an insightful story in The News international about the influential father and son who are calling shots in Sahiwal division also called Neeli Bar.
Neeli Bar is a geographical region in Punjab province of Pakistan which is administratively known as Sahiwal division. This region consists of the districts Sahiwal, Okara and Pakpattan. This area is situated between the rivers Ravi and Sutlej.
“Bar” is the name given to areas in Punjab situated between two rivers. These areas were used to cover with thick forests. The thick forests disappeared after the establishment of the modern canal irrigation system.
Neeli Bar is known for its fertile soil, warriors and buffalo breed known as milk machines. But here we will not discuss fertile land, warriors and buffalos, instead we will discuss here about the famous father and son belonging to local influential Maneka family.
But when one
talks to the officials familiar with the developments in Neeli Bar region has
lot to talk. They will reveal that how the father and son use their influence
on the chief minister office and his office make all postings, transfers and
key appointments in the Sahiwal division on the desire and wishes of the
influential duo.
Tariq Butt pointed out that “in the last three years since August 2018, seven district police officers (DPOs) have been transferred from Pakpattan. Their average tenure comes to five months as opposed to the requirement of law that is three years.
The last commissioner was sent packing a
couple of months ago because he could not respond to the phone call of the
younger member of the duo. The chief minister’s office forced the commissioner
to visit the famous farmhouse and seek forgiveness from the elder member. He
complied with the advice, but to no avail, and was transferred.”
Tariq Butt
went further and revealed that the XENs
of Irrigation, Multan Electric Supply Company (MEPCO), highways and public
health, Revenue officials, deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), station
house officers (SHOs) and revenue officials, and officers of the federal
departments like Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), National Database
& Registration Authority (NADRA) and Federal Investigation Authority (FIA)
are advised by their superiors to show deference to the influential pair or
else they would not be able to continue in the Neeli Bar.
The father
and son draw their illegal power authority from their links and close
relationship with Prime Minister House. They have been protected at the highest
levels of political authority.
One event
after the other proved that this pair considers itself above the law. Both
father and son without having any official position hold power than the top
officials and local politicians belonging to the ruling party. They have
repeatedly displayed this power in last 40 months and proved too strong and
powerful for Deputy Commissioners, District Police Officers and Commissioners.
The Neeli
Bar area like the central Punjab is the heartland of the political support base
of the PMLN since 2013. PML-N won all the national assembly seats in 2013
general elections. In 2018 general
elections, out of nine members of the National Assembly from the region, eight
belong to the PMLN. Similarly, out of 20 members of the Punjab Assembly,
fifteen were elected on the PMLN tickets.
It was used
to be the stronghold of PPP till 2008. PPP was used to won most of the seats from
Sahiwal Division. In 1988 and 1993 general elections, PPP won all the seats
from Okara district and majority of seats from Sahiwal and Pakpattan districts.
PML-N
increased its influence since 1997. Now PML-N is the dominating force of the
Neeli Bar area. PTI failed to make big inroads in these three districts and overtake
PML-N as the first political choice.
The PML-N is
sitting on the opposition benches so parliamentarians belonging to it from
Neeli Bar have no say in the administrative and policy decisions. PTI has very
little representation. In this case, the vacuum created is being filled by
bureaucracy.
The influential father and son have taken advantage of the situation and started to call shots. They face no real resistance and opposition from local PTI leaders because party is weak at local level in all three districts of Sahiwal division. They have emerged as the kingmakers in Sahiwal Division.
Khalid Bhatti
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