The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department (ESED) has directed all provincial and district staff to work from home indefinitely following a serious security scare in which a Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) and his armed guards stormed the office of the provincial Education Secretary.
The extraordinary decision was announced after SACM on Relief, Naik Mohammad, allegedly barged into the office of Secretary Education Mohammad Khalid on Friday, September 12, accompanied by armed guards and a group of 10–15 men. According to an internal department report, the group forcibly entered the premises, harassed staff, and created an atmosphere of “intimidation and harassment.”
The report claims Naik Mohammad hurled abuses, issued direct life threats to the secretary, and allegedly declared that “either the secretary would remain alive today or he himself would.” The armed intrusion reportedly caused panic among employees and disrupted official work for more than half an hour before the group dispersed.
The confrontation is believed to have stemmed from the withdrawal of a transfer order for the female District Education Officer (DEO) of North Waziristan.
In immediate response, Secretary Khalid issued an order barring armed individuals from entering any education department premises, including schools. He further directed that all staff work remotely “until further notice” to safeguard employees from potential threats.
The incident has sparked a wave of outrage among bureaucrats and civil service associations. Members of the Provincial Management Service (PMS), Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), and Provincial Planning Service staged protest demonstrations outside the Chief Secretary’s office on Saturday, demanding strict action against the SACM and security guarantees for government officers.
PMS Association Chairman Noman Wazir announced that protests would continue until an apology is issued and adequate protection ensured. He warned that commissioners, deputy commissioners, and other field staff would soon escalate their protest by wearing black armbands and potentially suspending work.
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The shocking breach has “severely undermined the sanctity of the secretariat,” officials said, adding that the episode highlights growing concerns over the safety of civil servants in the province. Naik Mohammad could not be reached for comment on the allegations.