MULTAN: The Lahore High Court, Multan Bench, on Monday stayed the suspension orders of former medical superintendent Nishtar Hospital Dr Ashiq Hussain Malik for 10 days.

Petitioner Dr Malik through his counsel Chaudhry Khawar Siddique Sahi stated that the powers provided under section 6 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Disciplinary and Accountability Act 2006 can only be exercised if any inquiry is pending against the employee; however the claim of the petitioner is that no inquiry is pending against him, therefore, the impugned suspension order is unwarranted and uncalled for.

“Let copy of this writ petition along with all annexures be transmitted to respondent No 3 (chief secretary) who shall look into the matter and decide the same as representation of the petitioner within a period of 10 days from receipt of certified copy of this order while providing opportunity of hearing to all concerned strictly in accordance with law. Till then, operation of impugned order shall remain suspended,” judge Muhammad Ameer Bhatti stated.

On May 12, the Punjab government suspended Dr Ashiq Malik from service on account of inefficiency and misconduct after an anti-corruption court cancelled the pre-arrest bail of Dr Malik and five other suspects for allegedly committing irregularities and misappropriation in the purchase and utilisation of medicines. Dr Malik was directed to report to the department in Lahore.

Additional Medical Superintendent Nishtar Hospital Dr Syed Ansar Ali Kazmi was given the charge of the MS in his own pay and scale in addition to his own duties till the arrival of a regular incumbent.

In December last, the ACE Multan registered the FIR no 57/18 under sections 109-409 Pakistan Penal Code and 5(2)A of Prevention of Corruption Act.

He along other accused allegedly inserted duplicate demand of IV Infusion sets enhancing original quantity from 568,150 to 1,000,000 (one million) and an inquiry committee headed by former MS Nishtar Dr Abdul Rehman Qureshi disclosed that Punjab Procurement Regularity Authority rules were violated and the accused officials were guilty.

According to initial inquiry, the requirement of IV sets of Nishtar hospital is 200,000 annually while it procured 568,150 sets for fiscal year 2016-17.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2019