ISLAMABAD: One of the biggest hospitals of the federal capital, Polyclinic on Monday got another acting head as Dr Shahid Hanif was made its executive director (ED) on a temporary basis.

The seat fell vacant after the retirement of Dr Zahid Larik, who was given the charge in July last year and retired on March 10.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Dr Hanif, Joint Executive Director (BS-20), is allowed work as the ED (BS-21) in his own pay and scale till further orders.

Hospital’s media coordinator Dr Sharif Astori said: “According to rules, acting charge can be given to an officer having one scale lower than the post. So Dr Hanif will continue working as the head of the hospital till the appointment of a permanent ED.”

The hospital has been run on an ad hoc basis for over two years.

A doctor of Polyclinic, requesting anonymity, said last year the Capital Administration and Development Division had started a process for the appointment of a full-time ED but because of a number of complications it was delayed.

“In the advertisement it was stated that only doctors having the domicile of Punjab could apply for the post. The matter was taken up by parliamentary committees and so far the permanent head has not been appointed,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2018