PESHAWAR: Normal operations at public offices in Peshawar remained disrupted even after the Eid holidays officially ended. The issue of poor office attendance continued on the first working day following the long break.
While government offices were scheduled to reopen, most remained inactive. Several buildings were locked entirely. Those that did open had only a few employees present. Many of them spent time exchanging Eid greetings instead of performing any official tasks.
Public offices in the city had been shut for five consecutive days. The closure combined two weekend holidays with three days off for Eid. Despite the extended break, there was no return to full functionality.
“Even though holidays are over, the departments are still not operational,” said Malik Naveed, Chairman of the Workers Union. He pointed out that office attendance remained extremely low. He added that in several departments, not a single senior official was seen.
Multiple public servants did show up. However, little to no administrative work was carried out. The environment in many offices was festive, not professional.
General Secretary of the Workers Union, Syed Waqar Hassan, echoed similar concerns. “Attendance was poor today, and many top officers did not show up,” he said. He stressed that this lack of seriousness was affecting public service delivery.
The issue of weak office attendance after national holidays is not new. Year after year, the same pattern repeats. Offices stay empty, files remain untouched, and citizens face unnecessary delays in essential services.
In many departments, the absence of senior officers meant even basic tasks could not be completed. Locked doors and deserted corridors reflected a lack of responsibility across the public sector.
The continued absence of staff has raised questions about workplace discipline. Experts argue that stronger measures are needed to ensure accountability in office attendance, especially after extended leaves.
Citizens visiting government offices returned without getting their work done. Many expressed frustration, saying they had taken time off from their jobs only to find government departments closed or inactive.
Unless serious steps are taken, the trend of poor office attendance after public holidays may continue to hinder basic governance and service delivery in the province.
