Rs264m health authority graft case faces delay

Officials yet to be held accountable; Covid-era procurement violated PPRA rules

RAWALPINDI:

An alleged corruption and embezzlement case amounting to Rs264 million within the District Health Authority (DHA) Rawalpindi has been confirmed in an audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), which also recommended recovery from those responsible.

However, after a delay of five months, the inquiry committee has now summoned the complainant, former Chief Executive Officer (Health), to appear on April 16.

The financial irregularities, violations of rules, and alleged misuse of government funds pertain to the 2020–21 period. Despite five years having passed since the revelations, no responsible officials have been brought to account.

According to details, during the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago, procurement worth Rs264m by the DHA Rawalpindi was carried out in clear violation of PPRA Rules.

Neither quotations nor tenders were sought, and several items purchased were reportedly unnecessary. Despite this, public funds were utilised for their procurement.

The audit report highlighted multiple breaches of rules and regulations, naming then Chief Executive Officer Dr Faiza Naeem, District Health Officer Dr Hooria Mohsin, DHO Preventive, and eight accountants as responsible for the financial irregularities. The Auditor General recommended a formal inquiry into the Rs264 million loss.

Subsequently, the Director General Health Services Punjab constituted an inquiry committee on November 12, 2025, comprising the Additional Director Health Services, Additional Director Finance and Nutrition, and Additional Director Accounts.

The committee was tasked—under defined terms of reference—with determining the causes of embezzlement, identifying procedural violations, assessing misuse of public funds, and fixing responsibility within one week.

However, despite the passage of five months, no tangible progress has been made. In a letter dated April 9, 2026, the Director General Health Services Punjab has now directed the complainant, Dr Ansar Ishaq—former Chief Executive Officer of the DHA Rawalpindi—to appear before the inquiry committee at 11am on April 16 at the CEO Health Authority office to present his position.

It is noteworthy that, despite the lapse of five years since the alleged corruption during 2020–21, responsibility for corrupt practices and misuse of public funds has yet to be determined.

The continued delay appears to run counter to the transparency agenda of Maryam Nawaz, with the complainant persistently approaching relevant forums and issuing reminders over the past five years, seeking that the matter be brought to its logical conclusion.