Aulakh takes actions against AARI's two directors, 11 other officials

Punjab Agriculture Minister Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh suspended eleven officials for being absent from duties and issued show cause notices to two directors of the Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad on showing negligence in performing their duties.
The Minister passed these directions during a surprise visit to the Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) on Saturday, says a spokesman. Those who were suspended from their services due to absence from duties include Aqeel Ahmad, Imran Ahmad, Hassan Ahmad, Abdul Ghafoor, Anjum Javed, Tanvir Ahmad, Zaka Akram, Muhammad Umair, Imran Arshad, Shahid Amin and Allah Dawaya.
While Director Vegetable Dr Shahid Nawaz and Dr Ikram were issued show cause notices due to poor performance. Speaking on this occasion, the minister stated that special attention has to be given on industry and agriculture to put the country on its own feet after refusal of the Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif to take foreign assistance. He also said that the government would not tolerate any negligence in the agriculture sector so as destination of self-reliance could be achieved through hard work and dedication.
While according to another press release issued by the Agriculture Department Punjab, the Minister during his visit to AARI urged the agricultural scientists to work hard for making country not only self-reliant in agriculture production but also to export the surplus to earn foreign exchange. The Minister also urged the scientists to work wholeheartedly and full concentration, as it would ensure great successes.
He also urged them to observe discipline so as to give more time to agricultural research. Aulakh also visited different disciplines carrying out research in wheat, vegetables and orchards. Director Wheat AARI Makhdoom Hussein apprised the Minister about the latest facilities to check quality of the crop.
During the visit to department of research on vegetables, the Minister said that the government was taking all out steps to improve production of vegetables in the province. He said that the agricultural scientists should also play a key role in this regard so as not only the production of vegetables could be increased but health of the masses could also be improved. Earlier, the Minister also met Vice Chancellor Faisalabad Agricultural University Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and condoled with him on the sad demise of his father.