ISLAMABAD: The embattled Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) was at the center of another controversy on Monday, after one of the two ‘registrars’ of the council accused the other of trying to occupy the PMDC building and issuing a notification announcing their appointment as registrar.

The notification, seen by Dawn, was issued on Monday night, but cancelled the next morning by newly-appointed management committee member Prof Abid Farooqi.

A PMDC official, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that on Monday afternoon – just after National Health Services Minister Saira Afzal Tarar’s press conference regarding the controversial council – Dr Nadeem Akbar entered the PMDC building. Dr Akbar is one of the two people who claim to be the rightful PMDC registrar and was also endorsed by the NHS minister in her press conference on Monday.

On Monday, he was accompanied by PML-N MNA Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, NHS ministry official Azam Ghakhar, a lawyer and others.


Dr Nadeem Malik accused of trying to occupy PMDC building, issuing fake notification; new committee voids notification


“They occupied the building, disconnected CCTV cameras, issued a notification that Mr Nadeem Akbar has become the new registrar and also pasted his name on the PMDC website. Then there were celebrations and sweets were distributed in the building until late in the evening,” he said.

Dr Shaista Faisal, who also claims to be the PMDC registrar, confirmed the incident and said that the individuals in question misbehaved with her and ‘occupied’ the building. “Luckily, we contacted the inspector general, who sent police to rescue our staff. I also informed the NHS minister and NHS Secretary Ayub Sheikh, who also intervened,” she said.

The notification issued on Aug 31s states that Dr Nadeem Akbar has assumed the charge of the post of PMDC registrar. However, the next day, Dr Abid Farooqi issued another notification stating that the notification issued the previous day had been declared “void ab initio” and bore no legal consequence.

Dr Farooqi told Dawn that the notification was issued without approval and bypassed the management committee, so it was cancelled.

“I talked to Mr Nadeem Akbar and told him not to undermine the management committee. The management committee will decide who should be the PMDC registrar,” he said.

However, Dr Nadeem Akbar could not be reached for comment.

An NHS ministry official, requesting anonymity, told Dawn, “Efforts are now underway to send Dr Shaista Faisal on leave, because she was part of the team that remained in conflict with the ministry for over two years,” he said.

Mr Azam Ghakhar, who deals with PMDC from the ministry, told Dawn that he had been asked in a meeting – where the NHS minister, secretary, director general and others were present – to visit the PMDC.

“When I went there, I saw a heated argument in the registrar’s office, so I came back. I had nothing to do with the notification issued on Monday night,” he said.

MNA Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti also denied the accusation that he tried to “occupy” the PMDC building.

“When I arrived, Dr Shaista and Nadeem Akbar’s lawyer were involved in a heated exchange. There were at least 25 people in that room. I just tried to resolve the issue and advised Nadeem Akbar that if Dr Shaista, who is the acting registrar, was not ready to leave her office, he (Nadeem) should sit in some other room,” he said.

“I was the one who conducted the inquiry against the PMDC and had to face the consequences when PMDC officials tried to fail my son, who is also a medical student. I have summoned a meeting of subcommittee on Sept 17 and will ask PMDC officials why they have implicated me,” he said.

Minister NHS Saira Afzal Tarar told Dawn that as soon as she learnt about the incident, she ordered that no ministry official should interfere in PMDC affairs.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2015

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