Civic rights denied

During a visit to the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) office in Haripur in connection with a civic matter on July 8, I faced unacceptable conduct by the personal assistant (PA) to the tehsil municipal officer (TMO) who grossly manhandled me, and even attempted to forcibly remove me from the premises.

Luckily, two police constables intervened, and stopped the PA’s aggression, preventing further escalation. When I reported this to the TMO, and requested to disclose PA’s identity under Section 5, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Right to Information Act 2013, he refused disclosure and offered only a cursory apology instead of initiating a formal action.

This was in violation of Article-9 of the Constitution (security of person) and Rule 4(1)(b) of the KP Efficiency and Discipline Rules 2011 (threatening behaviour towards citizens). The KP chief secretary must initiate disciplinary action against the PA for misconduct, and against the TMO for concealing his subordinate’s identity.

Timely intervention by police is commendable, but systemic accountability is crucial. Only swift action will reassure the citizens that accountability prevails.

KHURRAM SHAHZAD

HARIPUR