LG&CD upgrades Sialkot DC post, downgrades MC post

The move has raised questions within local government circles regarding the administrative rationale behind the unusual reciprocal adjustment.

LAHORE: The Local Government & Community Development Department (LG&CD), Government of Punjab, has issued a notification ordering the reciprocal transfer and posting of the Chief Officers of Sialkot District Council and Municipal Corporation, while simultaneously upgrading one post from BS-18 to BS-19 and downgrading the other from BS-19 to BS-18.

The move has raised questions within local government circles regarding the administrative rationale behind the unusual reciprocal adjustment.

Minute Mirror has obtained a copy of official notification No. LCS (ADMN)-1(233)/93-P, dated August 28, 2026, signed by Secretary LG&CD / Chairman Punjab Local Government Board, Ahmir Sohail Kaifi.

WHAT THE NOTIFICATION SAYS

1. Transfer and Posting

According to the notification:

• Mr. Muhammad Zubair Wattoo (BS-19), Chief Officer, Municipal Corporation, Sialkot, has been transferred and posted as Chief Officer, District Council, Sialkot, with immediate effect, vice Mr. Ashfaq Ahmed.
• Mr. Ashfaq Ahmed (BS-18), Chief Officer, District Council, Sialkot, has been transferred and posted as Chief Officer, Municipal Corporation, Sialkot, with immediate effect, vice Mr. Zubair Wattoo.

2. Reciprocal Upgradation and Downgradation

The most significant aspect of the notification is contained in paragraph 3, which states:

“The post of Chief Officer (BS-18), District Council, Sialkot is hereby upgraded in BS-19 and the post of Chief Officer (BS-19), Municipal Corporation, Sialkot is hereby downgraded in BS-18 on reciprocal basis till its are held by the posted incumbents.”

In effect, the Chief Officer post of District Council Sialkot has been upgraded from BS-18 to BS-19, while the Chief Officer post of Municipal Corporation Sialkot has been downgraded from BS-19 to BS-18.

The notification further makes the adjustment applicable on a reciprocal basis for the period during which the current incumbents hold the respective posts.

QUESTIONS RAISED OVER THE MOVE

The order has generated discussion among officials and local government circles, particularly over the reasons for changing the grades of the two posts.

A senior official, speaking to Minute Mirror, questioned the rationale behind the decision:

“There are many questions behind this. It is an interesting and purposeful order. Such orders also exist. Why is the post downgraded?”

Several questions are being raised, including:

1. Why was the Municipal Corporation post downgraded?
Municipal Corporations generally have extensive administrative responsibilities and larger urban jurisdictions. Officials are therefore questioning the rationale for reducing the Chief Officer post from BS-19 to BS-18.

2. Why is the change linked to the current incumbents?
The notification specifically makes the upgradation and downgradation applicable on a reciprocal basis until the current officers hold the posts. This has prompted questions about the status of the posts after their tenure.

3. What are the administrative grounds?
Although the notification cites “administrative grounds” for the transfer and posting, it does not provide a detailed explanation for the simultaneous change in the grades of the two posts.

OFFICIAL POSITION

The notification has been circulated to the Commissioner Gujranwala Division, Deputy Commissioner Sialkot, Administrators of the Municipal Corporation and District Council Sialkot, and other concerned officers for information and necessary action.

So far, the LG&CD Department has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the reciprocal upgradation of the District Council post and downgration of the Municipal Corporation post.

The unusual nature of the order is likely to remain a subject of discussion within Punjab’s local government circles unless the department provides further clarification.