PM appoints Ayesha Farooq as focal person

Ministry of NHSRC had nominated its own minister for the long vacant post.

ISLAMABAD: To the shock of many, the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, nominated Ayesha Raza Farooq as his focal person on polio while putting the ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) in an awkward position as the ministry had nominated its own minister for the long vacant post.

The press secretary to the prime minister, Muhiyuddin Wani confirmed the appointment of Ayesha Farooq.

“Ayesha Raza Farooq has been appointed as Focal Person of PM’s Polio Cell and the summary has been moved in this regard,” he said.

According to another official in the PM’s office, who wished not to be named, this decision was taken in light of the current outbreak in Syria and Pakistan being held responsible for the international spread of the poliovirus to other parts of the world. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2013.