PESHAWAR: Disciplinary action against government employees has intensified in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with authorities reporting 827 cases since October 2025.
A briefing at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi revealed that decisions have been issued in 629 cases, while proceedings in 198 cases are still underway.
Of the decided cases, 589 officers and employees were penalized, while 40 were acquitted.
The disciplinary action resulted in 128 employees being removed from service, 18 dismissed from service and six compulsorily retired. Two employees were demoted, one was arrested, salary recoveries were ordered from 89 employees, and promotions of 39 employees were stopped.
In addition, 16 employees were charge-sheeted, salary cuts were imposed on 14, and 10 were suspended. Warnings were issued to 155 employees, while 52 received reprimands.
Unauthorized Absence Tops the List
Unauthorized absence emerged as the most common violation among the reported cases.
Out of 827 cases, 447 cases, or 54 percent, involved unauthorized absence. The authorities also reported 120 cases of negligence in duty, 75 cases related to corruption and financial irregularities, and 75 cases involving incompetence.
Other cases included misconduct, poor supervision and violations of rules.
Hundreds of Show-Cause Notices and Inquiries
The briefing stated that disciplinary proceedings included 221 show-cause notices, 279 cases seeking explanations and 184 formal inquiries.
There were also 102 suspensions, 23 expressions of displeasure and nine cases in which officers or employees were posted as Officers on Special Duty.
District offices accounted for 305 cases, while attached departments and institutions reported 263 cases. Another 259 cases originated from central departments.
Action Against Hospital Staff
The crackdown also extended to the health sector. Following field visits, 90 officers and employees at District Headquarters Hospital Swabi were suspended.
Similarly, 61 officers and employees at District Headquarters Hospital Lakki Marwat faced suspension.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that no one would be above accountability and that transparency in the government system remained a priority. He reiterated the government's commitment to good governance, merit and a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.
