Yasmin Rashid summoned today in corruption probe

Several PIC officials also face ACE inquiry

LAHORE:

The Anti-corruption establishment (ACE) has launched an inquiry against former provincial health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid over alleged corruption of billions of rupees in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).

According to the spokesperson for the Punjab ACE, the former minister has been summoned on Tuesday.

The allegations pertain to bribery in the parking, canteen and cleaning contracts.

The spokesman said PIC Executive Director Dr Bilal Mohiuddin and Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Tahsin were also facing investigation over the matter.

The medical institution’s Purchase AMS Dr Shakeel and Pharmacy Store AMS Dr Masood Nawaz have also been summoned by the ACE along with Dr Rashid.

They are suspected of involvement in causing a loss of more than Rs1 billion to the exchequer by purchasing stents at high prices, receiving commission and violating the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, besides stealing goods worth millions of rupees from the store of the PIC, including heart batteries.

The Anti-Corruption Establishment stated that it had also initiated inquiries against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) former member of Punjab Assembly Naeem Ibrahim and Pir Ahmad Shah Khaga.

Ibrahim is facing allegations of building his Dera by illegally occupying 17 marlas of government land in connivance with some officials of the finance department.

The ACE is also looking into allegations that Khagah had received bribe during recruitment in the education department in Pakpattan. Candidates over the prescribed age limit were allegedly recruited.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2023.