Secretaries of all 72 union councils in Attock district are facing severe difficulties due to ‘staff shortages, excessive additional duties and delays in salary payments’. Family members and close relatives of several union council secretaries told media that the officials are under immense stress.
They perform office duties during the day and are assigned night duties at food checkpoints. They are also deployed in dog-killing campaigns, water filtration plant duties, and dengue prevention campaigns, in addition to routine administrative work.
The accumulation of additional duties has significantly increased their workload, while salaries are often delayed for up to three months. Previously, salaries were disbursed smoothly through the Lahore Accounts Office. However, under the current system, PFC grant cheques require clearance from the Attock Accounts Office, Finance Office and DC Office, resulting in prolonged delays.
Secretaries expressed serious concerns over the additional duties imposed by assistant commissioners.