Iftikhar Ali Sahoo gets additional charge of Punjab Chief Secretary

Lahore: The Punjab government has assigned Additional Chief Secretary Flight Lieutenant (Retd.) Iftikhar Ali Sahoo the additional charge of Chief Secretary Punjab during the official visit of Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman to China.

According to an official notification issued by the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD), Section-I on August 24, 2026, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo will perform the duties of Chief Secretary Punjab in addition to his existing responsibilities.

The notification states that the arrangement will remain effective from August 25 to August 29, 2026. During this period, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman will be on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China.

The notification was issued by Muhammad Fayyaz, Section Officer (Services-I) and copies were sent to the Governor’s Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Office, Accountant General Punjab, State Bank of Pakistan and other relevant departments and officers for information and necessary action.

Decision to ensure continuity of administrative affairs

Iftikhar Ali Sahoo has been given the additional responsibility to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of the province’s administrative affairs during Zahid Akhtar Zaman’s official visit to China.

Iftikhar Ali Sahoo is a PAS/BS-21 officer and is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary Punjab. In the absence of the Chief Secretary, he will oversee the province’s senior-level administrative affairs.

According to officials, assigning additional charge to a senior officer during the Chief Secretary’s official foreign engagements is a routine administrative arrangement aimed at ensuring the effective and uninterrupted functioning of the provincial government.