A senior official from the district health authority told Dawn that over 200 employees were found absent from their duties by Punjab Information and Technology Board (PITB) teams during inspections. Despite being absent, these employees were still drawing salaries and were reportedly submitting old photos from previous campaigns to PITB to fake their attendance.
The official stated that these fraudulent activities have made the anti-dengue campaign ineffective, as the number of dengue patients continues to increase daily. So far in 2025, 281 dengue cases have been reported in the district, compared to only 210 by September 11 of the previous year.
DC Orders Strict Action and Announces New Measures
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema has ordered action under the Punjab Employees Accountability Act against these employees. He also instructed authorities not to spare the relevant Deputy District Health Officers (DDHOs) who continued to issue salaries to these workers without proper oversight. He confirmed that a list of these employees has been prepared and sent to the provincial government for necessary action.
During a meeting of the District Emergency and Response Committee, chaired by Dr. Cheema, the issue of misappropriation by health officials was discussed. It was decided that strict action would be taken against both the employees involved in fake activities and the DDHOs who were paying them.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to play a proactive role in the field to prevent dengue in Rawalpindi. He emphasized that intensive monitoring of public places, educational institutions, hospitals, and hotspots would be conducted, and any negligence in destroying dengue larvae would not be tolerated. He stated that government officials found to be involved in fraudulent activities or absent from duty would be immediately dismissed.
According to PITB reports, around 200 officials have been identified for being absent or engaged in fake activities. All department officials have been directed to conduct daily field visits and submit performance reports. Dr. Cheema announced a zero-tolerance policy in the anti-dengue campaign to ensure citizens’ safety and stressed that officials who are negligent on such a sensitive matter do not deserve any leniency.
