MULTAN: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) local office has summoned the officers and officials of Dera Ghazi Khan Teaching Hospital, including two former medical superintendents (MS), for investigation on Tuesday (today) in connection with a probe into alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds.

The NAB Executive Board had converted an inquiry into an investigation on Dec 22 and the suspects have been summoned for the first time since then.

In his complaint, Muhammad Hussain Azad, a resident of Mahboobabad Colony in Dera Ghazi Khan, alleged a drug mafia had been looting the national exchequer for decades and Rs330 million had been 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 officials.

He stated that keeping in view the complaints of corruption and distributing jobs, the former Dera Ghazi Khan commissioner had recommended to the provincial government to remove MS Dr Attiqur Rehman Chishti, accountant Nazar Hussain Jarh and superintendent Ziaullah.

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

He also alleged that another former MS, Dr Shahid Saleem, currently working as the Okara Teaching Hospital MS; the finance director; and the accountant of the DG Khan Hospital also distributed Rs130m among various medicine companies without sending a demand for the payment to the finance department in connivance with the district accounts office.

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

The complainant said Dr Chishti had appointed his brother-in-law, Dr Sadiq Sohrani, as the head of the procurement committee despite the fact that an inquiry against him was held under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act 2006.

He demanded action against the officers and officials mentioned in the complaint.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2021