Chief of secondary and higher education made OSD after seeking exit

The move follows Azad Khan’s application for release just eight months into the role

The education ministry has removed Prof Muhammad Azad Khan from his role as director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and made him an officer on special duty (OSD).

A notification issued on Tuesday by the DSHE confirmed the decision, adding that it would take immediate effect.

OSDs are usually political victims, having no work to do either in the policymaking or the implementation process of the government.

On Oct 6, the ministry invited applications from senior officers of the education cadre who were interested in the DSHE’s top post.

The following day, Azad submitted a request to be released from the post, citing health concerns.

In his letter, he wrote: “Due to health reasons, it has become increasingly difficult for me to carry out my responsibilities. I am therefore requesting to be relieved of the duties of director general.”

DSHE, a key department under the Ministry of Education, oversees and manages the country’s secondary and higher secondary education system.

It operates through nine regional offices and their district-level education offices.

Azad was appointed to the position on Feb 20 this year.