Health official held in Quetta over illegal transport of medicines

Quetta police have arrested the District Health Officer (DHO) of Washuk after recovering a large quantity of government-issued medicines from his vehicle during a late-night operation, officials said on Wednesday.

According to police, personnel from New Sariab police station were conducting strict vehicle checks at the Mian Ghundi checkpoint on Mastung Road at around 2am, after information that government medicines from other districts were being illegally transported to Quetta for sale.

The operation was led by SDPO Shalkot Attar Rasheed and SHO New Sariab Fateh Sher. During the check, police stopped a vehicle whose occupant identified himself as Dr Muhammad Akbar, DHO Washuk.

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A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 30 cartons containing various types of government medicines, which are meant to be provided free of charge to patients at public hospitals.

Police arrested Dr Akbar on the spot, seized the medicines and the vehicle, and registered a case on the complaint of the station house officer.

Police sources said the seized medicines were valued at more than Rs10 million and were allegedly being brought to Quetta for illegal sale in the local market. Authorities said the seizure prevented potential losses to the health department and shortages of essential medicines for poor patients.

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Senior officials of the Balochistan Health Department have been informed, while investigations are underway to determine the source of the medicines and whether a wider network is involved.

Police described the arrest as a significant step in efforts to curb the smuggling and misuse of government medicines in the province.