'Foolishness, misplaced over-smartness': Maryam removes Jhelum DC over exam postponement for her visit

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz removed the Jhelum deputy commissioner (DC) from his post on Sunday, after it emerged that computer science papers for intermediate students in the district had been <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2042878">postponed</a> in the district owing to arrangements for the provincial chief executive’s scheduled visit on Nov 10.</p> <p>Originally scheduled for Nov 10, the computer science papers for the Intermediate Second Annual Examinations 2026 had been deferred on the recommendation of the now-dismissed Jhelum deputy commissioner, Mir Raza Ozgen.</p> <p>He wrote in a letter to the Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) that due to the deployment of administrative and security personnel during the scheduled visit, “it is not feasible to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted conduct of the said examination in the district. It is, therefore, requested that the examination be postponed and rescheduled for another suitable date to avoid any inconvenience to students and ensure the smooth conduct of both the examination and the VVIP visit”.</p> <p>The move also came <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link--external" href="https://x.com/MarianaBaabar/status/2119269778171035999">under scrutiny and criticism</a> on social media.</p> <p>Eventually, Maryam posted on X that the Jhelum DC was being removed from his post with “immediate effect”.</p> <p>She said she had given “explicit instructions that no inconvenience or disruption whatsoever should be caused to the public during my visits to the districts”.</p> <p>“This is a clear disregard for my directions,” she added.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119337970188861834'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119337970188861834"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>In a subsequent post, she also shared a notification that said the DC had been transferred and was instructed to report to the Punjab Services and General Administration Department for further orders.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119340323914821818'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119340323914821818"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>Maryam also announced that the earlier postponed exams would now be held in line with the original schedule, on Nov 10.</p> <p>“Notwithstanding any acts of foolishness or misplaced over-smartness on part of the district administration, the examinations shall be held strictly in accordance with the original schedule, i.e. Tuesday, 10th November,” she posted on X.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119348943993921712'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119348943993921712"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>In another post on X, CM Maryam said she has directed all regional and district police officers as well as commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure that “no market, shop, business, or any other establishment shall be closed or asked to suspend its operations on account of my visit.”</p> <p>She added that no residential streets will be blocked or sealed, or any restriction be placed on the movement of residents “under the pretext of security arrangements”.</p> <p>“Please ensure that all security measures are discreet and do not cause any inconvenience, disruption, or hardship to the general public,” she wrote, adding that the instructions must be “followed in letter and spirit”.</p> <p>“Failing to comply will result in strict action.”</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119358810737483789'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/2119358810737483789"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.