The arrest of Ahad Cheema, a blue-eyed bureaucrat of Punjab’s Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has created ripples both in the Sharif camp as well as the bureaucratic circles. Mr Cheema is a distinguished civil servant who was picked up by the Chief Minister for his promise and given portfolios above his grade. For Punjab’s ‘doer’ CM, he delivered the goods on mega projects including the Lahore Metro Bus. National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has made Mr Cheema’s arrest in connection with the former’s work as director general of the Lahore Development Authority. That Mr. Cheema is close to the chief executive of the largest province also tipped as the contender for the slot of Prime Minister is meaningful. The merits of the case will become clearer once the NAB completes its inquiry, therefore, it would be improper to speculate on the alleged role that Mr Cheema or his boss may have had in the matter. NAB’s action against Mr Cheema and flashing his pictures across the media platforms has been disturbing to say the least. Every accused deserves dignity according to the constitution. Also, given the state of conflict between the permanent institutions of the state and the ruling PMLN, this appears to be yet another chapter of the ongoing tussle. In fairness, NAB may have collected sufficient evidence that could pass the scrutiny of a court of law, but that remains to be seen. What is disturbing is that public servants, who act upon the orders of the political bosses, are made to appear as criminals even before a trial has commenced. This is why the NAB under the stewardship of a former Supreme Court judge must ensure that its working should not reek of any political objective. That we need accountability of all who hold public offices is a given. But there seems to be an inordinate focus on the Sharifs since the Panama verdict and its aftermath. This will only hurt the already low credibility of this important institution. Pakistan’s civil service especially at the senior levels is infamous for its inefficiency and corruption. That the public trust in bureaucracy is low is an open secret. Once a powerful inheritor of the Raj steel frame the elite Pakistan Administrative Service has lost much of its sheen as well as autonomy. Civil servants have been politicised and loyalty to the ruling party matter more than merit and performance. Having said that, excessive acts such as an arrest in the first instance will not help the state of civil service and is likely to demoralise other officials tasked with important duties. Needless to say, no state can function without a bureaucracy that feels secure and bound by rules. The Punjab bureaucracy has strongly reacted to Mr Cheema’s detention and treatment. It is likely that some of the bureaucrats may have been nudged by the PMLN government to mount public pressure against NAB. But many of those who are reacting to this development are concerned about the due process and dignity that bureaucrats, like other citizens of the republic, deserve. The senior civil servants in the province and at the centre need to manage this process clearly. Too much display of privilege and sense of entitlement will only deter public opinion. This is why Mr Cheema deserves due process and fair treatment. In fact, such signaling can demotivate the hardworking and professional members of the civil service who opted to serve their country. It is also a shame that sections of media are covering the Cheema story in a sensational manner playing out the partisan narrative against the Sharif family that has gained currency on TV screens for months now. * Published in Daily Times, February 26th 2018.