The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated a regular enquiry against the former Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheikh Akhtar Hussain and others for amassing assets beyond known means following his arrest on charges of holding a fake degree.
FIA Islamabad Anti-Corruption Circle Deputy Director Afzal Khan Niazi has penned a letter to the secretary of health services, outlining 41 specific points to furnish the required record information. Under Section 94 of the CRPC, authorities have been given a ten-day deadline to provide the necessary records.
In the letter, Niazi highlighted that a case had been registered against Sheikh Akhtar Hussain for possessing a fake degree, and a regular enquiry (No RE-275/2023) was initiated.
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The letter specified that comprehensive information needed to be provided for the investigation of the case.
Among the requested details, the letter outlined concerns about promotions made during Sheikh Akhtar Hussain's tenure, particularly the promotion of Asim Rauf to Grade 19 without qualifying for the mid-career management course and without the approval of the departmental promotion committee. The letter demanded a complete file, including procedural details, approval lists, notifications, and salary and benefit information related to Asim Rauf's promotion. The letter also sought information on the establishment of Drap, the joining date of Sheikh Akhtar Hussain after resigning from civil service, and details of appointments made by Sheikh Akhtar Hussain using federal government powers.
Furthermore, the letter requested information on notifications for the appointment of various boards, including the government analyst, policy board, central licensing board, registration board, and appellate board, during his tenure. Salary slips of the accused since 1991 and details about the termination of his monthly PhD allowance were also requested.
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The letter delved into Hussain's past, including the suspension in 2013 on charges of asset beyond means, the subsequent investigation report leading to his reinstatement in 2014, and the job portfolio on March 7, 2019, when he was posted in the Ministry of National Health Services.
Questions were raised about the co-accused in the NAB case, the contact details of specific individuals, minutes of the cabinet meeting held on May 22, 2018, and the process behind the drug pricing policy in 2018.
Concerns were expressed about his alleged collusion with pharmaceutical companies, specifically regarding the significant increase in medicine prices in 2018-19.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2023.
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