MULTAN: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seized the record in connection with a probe into alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds by the former medical superintendent (MS) and other officials of the Dera Ghazi Khan Teaching Hospital.

The NAB team allegedly raided the record room of the hospital on Friday and seized the record; however the NAB spokesman and deputy director Qaisar denied conducting such a raid. However, a video of shifting of record was viral on social media and it was available with Dawn.

In his complaint, Muhammad Hussain Azad, a resident of Mehboobabad Colony, Dera Ghazi Khan, alleged that a drug mafia had been looting the national exchequer since decades while an amount of Rs330m was utilised within two months from the annual budget of 2018-19 against fake purchases.

He alleged that Rs200m were paid to medicine companies, Rs50.25m through various tenders and Rs130m in terms of quotations/pending liabilities while the entire amount was embezzled by the officials. He stated that while keeping in view the complaints of corruption and distributing jobs, former commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan recommended the provincial government to remove MS Dr Atiqur Rehman Chishti, accountant Nazar Hussain Jarh and superintendent Ziaullah.

Mr Azad stated that after their suspension from service, Jarh and Ziaullah had been reinstated while Dr Chishti had retired. He alleged that Jarh had registered more than six companies in the name of his close relatives who for the last one decade had been robbing the national kitty.

He also alleged that former MS, director finance and accountant of the hospital also distributed Rs130m among various medicine companies without sending demand for payment to the finance department in connivance with the district accounts office.

Mr Azad alleged that Dr Chishti had appointed his nephew, Inamullah, at the post of office assistant while Jarh, director finance Rubab Iqbal, Ziaullah, Nadim Sohail and other health officials had got their relatives and children appointed in the hospital in violation of rules and regulations.

He stated Dr Chishti had made his brother-in-law Dr Sadiq Sohrani the head of the procurement committee despite an inquiry against him was underway under the Punjab Employees, Efficiency and Accountability Act 2006. He demanded action against the officers and officials mentioned above.

It is pertinent to mention here that initially this case was taken up by the Anti-Corruption Establishment Dera Ghazi Khan but later on was shifted to NAB Multan on its request.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2020