Fourth extension in CS' look-after charge: Punjab govt seems content with 'stopgap arrangement'.

LAHORE -- The Punjab government has extended the look-after charge of Chief Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal for the fourth consecutive time - for a month.

Sources say former chief secretary Kamran Ali Afzal had twice applied for two weeks and one-week earned leave, respectively, but did not apply for the third time and the Punjab government had taken a decision on its own and extended Mr Sumbal's look-after charge for one month on Oct 8. The last decision was valid till Sunday (Nov 6).

The Punjab government has yet another time notified extension in the look after charge for one month from Nov 7 to Dec 6.

During all this crisis, the federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had not responded either by selecting a regular incumbent from the panel of three senior officers sent to the government in the Centre nor did it post any senior officer as Punjab chief secretary on its own.

The Punjab government has also issued an order allowing CS Kamran Ali Afzal 30 days' extension in his earned leave from Nov 7 to Dec 6.

Mr Afzal was adamant...