PESHAWAR: The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has dismissed 128 employees from service, 18 removed from service and sent 6 on compulsory retirement since October 2025.
This was revealed during a briefing on accountability proceedings against government officers and officials held here with Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi in the chair. The meeting as given a detailed briefing on disciplinary and accountability action taken since October 2025.
The meeting was informed that 827 cases involving government officers/officials had been reported since October 2025. Of these, 629 cases have been decided, while proceedings in 198 cases remain ongoing.
Of the 629 decided cases, 589 officers/officials were penalised through various disciplinary measures, while 40 employees were exonerated of the charges.
In addition, two employees were demoted, one was arrested, salary recoveries were ordered from 89 employees, and the promotions of 39 employees were withheld.
Furthermore, charge sheets were issued to 16 employees, salary reductions were imposed on 14 employees, and 10 employees were suspended. As many as 155 employees were issued warnings, while 52 were reprimanded.
The meeting was informed that un-authorised absence was the most prevalent offence recorded in disciplinary cases, accounting for 447 cases, or 54 percent of the total.
This was followed by 120 cases of negligence in the discharge of official duties, 75 cases involving corruption and financial irregularities, and 75 cases of incompetence.
The briefing further recorded 14 cases of misconduct, 13 cases of inadequate supervision, and 11 cases involving violations of rules and regulations.
In total, the meeting reviewed 827 cases relating to unauthorised absence, negligence in the discharge of duties, corruption and financial irregularities, incompetence and other forms of misconduct.
The meeting was also informed that the accountability proceedings included 221 show-cause notices, 279 cases seeking explanations, 184 inquiries, 102 suspensions, 23 expressions of displeasure, and nine cases in which employees were placed at the disposal of the Establishment Department (OSD).
From a departmental perspective, 305 cases originated from district offices, 263 from attached departments and institutions, and 259 from the central departments.
The meeting was also briefed on disciplinary action taken against 90 officers/officials of the District Headquarters Hospital Swabi during field inspections of health facilities. Similarly, 61 officers and employees of the District Headquarters Hospital Lakki Marwat were subjected to suspension proceedings.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said that, in accordance with the vision of Imran Khan, no one is above accountability, and that transparency in the public sector remains a fundamental priority of the provincial government.
He said the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would make no compromise on good governance, merit and transparency.
The Chief Minister reiterated that a zero-tolerance policy against corruption was being strictly enforced and that there was no room for corrupt elements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the provincial government was taking practical measures to strengthen transparency, integrity, accountability and merit across the public sector, adding that no consideration or pressure would be allowed to undermine these principles.
The Chief Minister said the protection of public resources, improvement in the performance of public institutions, and delivery of quality public services were among the government’s foremost priorities. To achieve these objectives, he said, the accountability framework was being further strengthened to make it more effective, responsive and results-oriented.
He warned that corruption, financial irregularities, abuse of authority, negligence in the discharge of duties and unauthorised absence would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to bring all pending accountability cases to their logical conclusion at the earliest, strictly on merit, so that government efforts to eliminate corruption and maladministration could deliver tangible results.
He further directed that transparency, impartiality and full compliance with due process and legal requirements be ensured throughout accountability proceedings, so that no innocent person was subjected to injustice and no culpable individual was allowed to evade accountability under the law.
Muhammad Sohail Afridi said that the people had entrusted the present government with the responsibility of establishing a transparent, accountable and people-centred system of governance, and that this responsibility would be fulfilled at all costs.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026