Supreme Court hearing suo motu case into alleged illegal activities in health dept. PHOTO: FILE
In March 2016, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Anwar Zaheer Jamali took a suo motu notice - the first of the year - on alleged illegal appointments, promotions and adjustments in the Sindh health department without publishing any advertisement or holding of interviews.
The CJP took the initiative after an application was filed by president of the Jacobabad chapter of Pakistan Paramedical Staff Association, Akber Ali Khoso. The appellant contended that the illegal selections were made on the basis of bogus structures in the health department.
Sindh health secretary Ahmed Bux Narejo, submitting a report in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, informed the bench that an inquiry committee in this matter has finalised its findings, wherein it is revealed that 36 appointees did not appear before it, while ten submitted bogus skills certificates. A total of 167 questionable appointments were made during the tenure of DHO Dr Deedar and he exceeded beyond his jurisdiction, states the report.
The committee also observed that Dr Deedar is found accountable on four charges: willful deviation from orders of the parent office, misuse of powers, non-transparent recruitment procedure and indifference towards dual identity questions.
It was further revealed that Dr Deedar, while superseding the explicit order of the health department resting with the constitution of the selection committee, was found delinquent on account of 'ultra vires' [exceeding authority].
"The willful removal of deterrent against any ill designing indicates ulterior motives.
Such a single act provided room for induction of inefficient, non-eligible and fraudulent workers resulting into financial losses to the government beside qualitative damages to the health delivery system which are immeasurable," the report states.
The committee also questioned the dubiousness of Dr Deedar's name as per the record from his parent department. The official is named Deedar Ali Jamali on his academic documents and Dr Deedar Hussain on his own service track. His Matric certificate and appointment order are also not listed in the said record.
On the recommendation of the inquiry committee, the Sindh chief minister has suspended DHO Dr Jamali. The matter has also been referred to the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment's director to inquire into the matter of the 'dual identity' in the context of misuse of identity for personal gain and loss to the national exchequer within two weeks.
Moreover, the Sindh accountant general has been requested to recover the amount drawn by Dr Deedar illegally by misusing his authority.
Likewise, the Sindh health director general has been advised to initiate proceedings for the removal of service of ten appointees, who submitted bogus school certificates and to ensure the recovery of the salary paid to them.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2016.
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