ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a reply from the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) on a petition filed by former Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) executive director Dr Raja Amjad Mehmood for serving him a show-cause notice.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah suspended the show-cause notice issued to Dr Amjad, which was served for his repatriation to his parent department in Punjab.

Last week, the NHS served show-cause notices to 26 deputationist doctors from public sector hospitals, for allegedly continuing their services in the capital’s hospitals in violation of a Supreme Court judgment.

The petitioner, Dr Amjad, is currently posted as the director general of the National Emergency Preparedness & Response Network (NHEPRN).

The show-cause notice cited the SC verdict that laid down the criteria for deputation and absorption of government officers.

According to Dr Amjad’s counsel, he was transferred to Pims in 2004 from the Punjab Health Department on deputation and subsequently absorbed in Pims.

He said that the Federal Services Tribunal had once ruled in favor of his client.

The Ministry of NHS on July 22 issued the notice to Dr Amjad and while referring to the SC’s decision, intended to repatriate him to his parent department, he added.

The court issued a restraining order in the case and sought a reply from the NHS ministry in two weeks and adjourned the hearing.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2020