Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz removed Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Mir Raza Ozgen from his post on Sunday after intermediate computer science exams in the district were postponed ahead of her scheduled visit.
The Computer Science papers for the Intermediate Second Annual Examinations 2026 were originally scheduled for November 10.
The Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) later postponed the morning and evening papers in Jhelum district to November 30, citing the deputy commissioner’s recommendation and administrative arrangements linked to the chief minister’s visit.
Maryam Nawaz Orders Immediate Removal of Jhelum DC Maryam Nawaz reacted after the exam postponement drew criticism.
She said she had already instructed officials to ensure that her district visits did not inconvenience the public or disrupt normal activities.
She called the development a violation of those directions and ordered the deputy commissioner’s removal with immediate effect.
The Punjab government subsequently transferred Ozgen and directed him to report to the Services and General Administration Department for further orders.
Meanwhile, Asma Ijaz, a BS-19 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, was posted as the new deputy commissioner of Jhelum.
Exams Restored to Original November 10 Schedule The chief minister also ordered authorities to hold the affected examinations according to their original schedule on Tuesday, November 10.
She criticised what she described as “foolishness” and “misplaced over-smartness” by the district administration and said students should not face disruption because of arrangements for her visit.
This reversed the earlier BISE decision that had moved the papers in Jhelum to November 30. The postponement had applied only to Jhelum district, while examinations in other districts under BISE Rawalpindi were due to proceed normally.
Maryam Nawaz Issues New Instructions for Official Visits Following the controversy, Maryam Nawaz issued broader instructions to commissioners, deputy commissioners, regional police officers and district police officers across Punjab.
She directed officials not to close markets, shops, businesses or other establishments because of her visits. She also told authorities not to seal residential streets or restrict residents’ movement in the name of security arrangements.
The chief minister said security measures should remain discreet and should not create unnecessary inconvenience for the public. She also warned officials that failure to follow the instructions could lead to strict action.
Academic policymakers and educational leaders recognize that continuous curricular modernization and institutional reform are essential to preparing students for the evolving demands of a globalized knowledge economy.
Educational directorates and higher education boards are actively aligning examination methodologies with conceptual learning standards, digital learning management systems, and analytical competencies.
These educational initiatives aim to elevate academic excellence while ensuring equitable learning opportunities for students across all socio-economic backgrounds.
In addition to instructional updates, educational institutions are emphasizing the expansion of research facilities, merit-based scholarship programs, and teacher development seminars.
Close collaboration between academic councils, industry partners, and provincial education ministries ensures that institutional programs equip graduates with practical skills, technological literacy, and ethical leadership capabilities necessary for national development.
Students, parents, and academic administrators are advised to verify all notifications, examination dates, and syllabus guidelines through official board websites and certified academic portals.
Education authorities caution against unofficial digital circulars, urging stakeholders to rely strictly on accredited institutional circulars and authorized institutional helplines.