Move to create over 100 new additional assistant commissioner posts in Punjab opposed

The Punjab government has proposed the creation of 101 Additional Assistant Commissioner (AAC) posts, a move that has been strongly opposed by the Provincial Management Service (PMS) officers’ association. The association argues that this is a "mala fide" attempt to weaken the PMS cadre, as the AAC posts were abolished decades ago and their revival is unnecessary, particularly given the establishment of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) force.

The association's executive committee, chaired by Qamar Zaman Qaisrani, has decided to meet with the Punjab services secretary and additional chief secretary to express its concerns and demands. If these concerns are not addressed, the association threatens to launch a protest by wearing black armbands across the province. The PMS officers claim that creating new posts would significantly increase the burden on the national exchequer, estimating the cost of one AAC at Rs46.825 million and all 101 AACs at Rs4.729 billion, including salaries, privileges, official vehicles, supporting staff salaries, monthly budgets, and office buildings.

The association also raises concerns over alleged discrimination in postings and transfers, delays in promotion boards, and the appointment of junior officers to senior positions.

Brief written by urgent.news from Dawn's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.