Probe ordered against ‘corrupt’ health officials

Caretaker Punjab CM seeks inquiry report within 60 days

RAWALPINDI:

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has ordered an inquiry against six officials of Murree and Kotli Sattian Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals under The Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act (PEEDA) 2006, for ‘incurring huge losses’ to the national exchequer through ‘corrupt practices and misconduct’.

According to sources, the interim CM has asked investigators to submit the inquiry report within 60 days.

The sources said the six accused include three doctors and three administrative officials of the hospitals being run under the Murree District Health Authority (DHA).

Among the accused, a retired doctor, a junior clerk, and an accountant will be investigated under the Punjab Civil Service Pension Rules, 1955.

The officials were identified as Kotli Sattian THQ MS (retd) Dr Sajid Latif, former Kotli Sattian THQ MS Dr Sulaiman, Junior Clerk Zahoor Ahmed, former Murree THQ MS Dr Muhammad Rashid Khan, former Murree THQ Accountant Muhammad Ramzan, Bagga Sheikhan Ruler Health Centre Senior Medical Officer Dr Malik Asadullah, and former Junior Clerk Imran Mehboob of the same rural health centre.

Sources said the officials made procurement of various items against the prescribed rules and regulations and gobbled up millions of rupees. Moreover, payments for the procurement were also made contrary to rules and regulations, they said.

After conducting an initial assessment of corruption and declaring the material sufficient for inquiry against these persons under Section 3 and Section 5 of PEEDA 2006, Grade 20 officer Musrrat Jabeen has been directed to complete the inquiry within 60 days and send the report to the competent authority.

Last week, a scandal pertaining to the recruitment of candidates, belonging to the Bhakkar and Sargodha districts, for the positions of peon and watchman in the Rawalpindi District Health Authority by violating the merit and other rules and regulations, was surfaced.

Following the disclosure of the scandal, an inquiry committee recommended action against former District Health Officer Dr Sarfraz Khan, Convenor of the Recruitment Committee, under PEEDA 2006 and transfer of District Health Officer Medical Services Dr Ahsan Ghani as well as Superintendent Irshad Mahmood from the DHA.

The probe panel also issued instructions to ensure the recruitment of candidates who are neglected/ rejected despite fulfilling the criteria.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2023.