Tahir Maqsood Cheena, the writer is a president of republic policy organization

Introduction:

Liaqat Chatha, a distinguished PMS (Provincial Management Service) officer holding the rank of Grade 20 in the province of Punjab, plays a significant role in the administrative landscape. Let’s delve into the details of his career and recent actions.

The PMS is the premier civil service in Punjab, responsible for executing vital functions across various government departments. PMS officers are expected to serve in key positions, ranging from chief secretary to assistant commissioners. Their role is pivotal in ensuring efficient governance and implementing policies that impact the lives of citizens.

However, recent developments have sparked controversy within the PMS community. The PMS Association contends that they are the true executive service of the province, and as such, they should hold key positions. They express concern about the presence of Federal Pakatan Administrative Service (PAS) officers in provincial postings, which they believe goes against the federal constitutional scheme and the law.

Liaqat Chattha, a seasoned PMS officer, made headlines when he held a press conference in Rawalpindi. During this conference, he made startling revelations about his involvement in the rigging of elections within the Rawalpindi division. According to Chattha, he exerted pressure on returning officers to manipulate the results of 13 National Assembly (NA) seats in favor of PMLN and against the victory of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). His forthright admission was accompanied by his immediate resignation.

In addition to exposing electoral irregularities, Chattha leveled accusations against the Election Commissioner and the Chief Justice of Pakistan, alleging that they were complicit in undermining the people’s mandate. His bold stance has drawn attention to the delicate balance between political power and administrative integrity.

Liaqat Chattha’s career trajectory has been marked by successful postings across different political regimes. He has served as Deputy Commissioner in Sargodha, Gujrat, and Commissioner in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rawalpindi. His tenure as Secretary of Labour in the Punjab government further solidified his reputation as a competent and dedicated civil servant.

Interestingly, Chattha has maintained a neutral stance in the political arena. His colleagues attest that he is not aligned with any specific party, prioritizing his career over partisan affiliations. This pragmatic approach has consistently led to favorable postings, making him a respected figure among his peers.

Chattha belongs to the 1992 batch of PMS officers in Punjab. His contemporaries from the same batch have also excelled, serving as deputy commissioners and secretaries in various capacities. Their collective contributions underscore the critical role played by civil servants in shaping the province’s governance and development.

Critical Evaluation:

Liaqat Chattha, a distinguished PMS (Provincial Management Service) officer holding the rank of Grade 20 in the province of Punjab, occupies a significant role in the administrative landscape. In this evaluation, we delve into the details of his career and recent actions. The PMS, as the premier civil service in Punjab, shoulders vital responsibilities across various government departments. PMS officers are expected to serve in key positions, from chief secretary to assistant commissioners, ensuring efficient governance and implementing policies that impact citizens’ lives.

Controversy Within the PMS Community: Recent developments have ignited controversy within the PMS community. The PMS Association asserts that they are the true executive service of the province and should hold key positions. Their concern centers around the presence of Federal Pakatan Administrative Service (PAS) officers in provincial postings, which they believe contravenes the federal constitutional scheme and the law.

Chattha’s Startling Revelations: Liaqat Chattha, a seasoned PMS officer, catapulted into the limelight when he conducted a press conference in Rawalpindi. During this momentous event, he made startling revelations about his involvement in the rigging of elections within the Rawalpindi division. Chattha candidly admitted to exerting pressure on returning officers, manipulating the results of 13 National Assembly (NA) seats in favor of PMLN and against the victory of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). His forthright admission was accompanied by an immediate resignation.

Accusations Against High Authorities: Beyond exposing electoral irregularities, Chattha leveled serious accusations against the Election Commissioner and the Chief Justice of Pakistan. He alleged their complicity in undermining the people’s mandate. His bold stance has thrust into the spotlight the delicate balance between political power and administrative integrity.

Career Trajectory and Political Regimes: Liaqat Chattha’s career trajectory has been marked by successful postings across different political regimes. However, his recent actions have raised questions about the ethical boundaries within which civil servants operate. As we critically evaluate his career, we must consider both his accomplishments and the impact of his revelations on the democratic process.

In conclusion, Liaqat Chattha’s actions have reverberated through the administrative corridors, prompting reflection on the intersection of duty, integrity, and political influence. His legacy will be shaped not only by his past achievements but also by the consequences of his candid admission. The PMS community, the public, and the legal system now grapple with the aftermath of his revelations, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in governance. Most importantly, secretaries and Deputy Commissioners have been his colleagues of the 1992 batch, like Rai Manzor Nasir, Zahid Mnazor Gondal, Mustajab Karamat, and others. The 1992 batch of PMS is regarded as the most successful and accomplished batch of provincial service, where almost all officers remained deputy commissioners and secretaries. Their contribution towards the development of the province in the periods of PMLN, PTI, and Care Takers have been excellent, and most of the batchmates of Liaqat Chatta and also the provincial and federal services take him in high esteem, as per their feedback given to Tahir Maqsood Cheena of the republic policy. 

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