ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), which faced a number of controversies during the last almost one decade, once again seems rocked by allegations of corruption.

During a recent meeting of the executive committee, the members not only criticised the president but also did not allow him to take his seat, accusing him of corruption.

However, PMDC President Dr Shabir Lehri told Dawn that some elements were trying to pressure him by levelling false allegations so that he would resign. “But I have decided not to yield to the pressure.”

Secretary Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) Ayub Sheikh said it had come to his knowledge that the last meeting of the executive committee could not be held and was called off. He said he was gathering details and looking into the matter.

Meeting of executive committee called off as members did not allow president to take his seat, accusing him of corruption

President Mamnoon Hussain promulgated the PMDC Amendment Ordinance 2015 on Aug 26, 2015, after which the executive council of the PMDC was dissolved. Later, an acting management committee, headed by retired Maj Gen Azhar Kiyani, was constituted. The committee was advised to hold elections of the executive council within 120 days. However, the process could not be completed within the given period. On Dec 11, 2015, Minister for NHS Saira Afzal Tarar tabled the bill in the National Assembly to extend the ordinance for another 120 days.

Though after completion of the process, the new management committee headed by Dr Lehri started working, so far the presidential ordinance could not sail through the Senate.

An insider of the meeting of the PMDC executive council held on April 6 requesting anonymity told Dawn that the members started criticising Mr Lehri and accused him of corruption. One of the members alleged that an audio recording was available with him showing the president demanding bribe for the registration of a college.

“The members did not allow the president to sit on the seat and later the meeting was called off without approving the minutes of the past meetings.”

He said the point of contention related to the approval of six medical colleges by the council in the last week of January.

“Mr Lehri sent the list of colleges to the ministry of NHS to notify them but the ministry refused as the minutes were not approved. On the other hand, the PMDC president was of the view that the notifications should not be delayed as it allowed people to raise fingers at the council. Now the differences have reached such an extent that the president is being forced to resign,” he said.

An official of the ministry of NHS, requesting not to be quoted, added that though some members had contacted the ministry asking it to play its role but the latter believed that the council was empowered to keep the president or replace him with someone else.

“But the president is from Balochistan, which is a smaller province, so in case of his removal it will become a political issue,” he said.

Dr Lehri told Dawn that some of the members were not happy with him over his decisions to ensure merit in the registration of colleges, the National Examination Board exams and the inspection of colleges.

“They are trying to pressure me with false allegations so that I would resign. But I have decided not to resign. If some members don’t want me, they should bring the matter to the council meeting and remove me with a majority of votes. I have decided to call the meeting of the council next week,” he said.

Member of the council, Dr Amir Bandesha, said it was a fact that things had improved in the council as compared to the past. If someone has any proof of corruption, they should disclose it rather than levelling allegations.

“I have learnt that a professor, who wants to establish a college, called Mr Lehri and requested him for help. Mr Lehri said he would look into the matter. This sort of reply is a normal practice in our society and cannot be described as corruption. Moreover, Mr Lehri has no physical role in the registration of colleges,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2017