ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has reinstated an official of the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) who was sacked over a year ago.

Deputy Director (BS-18) Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) Dr Obaid Ali had appeared in the media a number of times and alleged corruption in the ministry.

He had also approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the appointment of a former Drap chief executive officer (CEO).

According to a notification issued by the ministry of NHS, with the approval of the prime minister being the appellate authority, the major penalty of dismissal from service imposed on Dr Ali, former deputy director Drap, vide ministry’s notification dated Jan 10, 2020, is set aside and he is reinstated with immediate effect.

Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks high about whistle-blowers and a number of times he has urged civil servants to reveal violations of rules and corruption giving assurance to the civil servants that they will be protected.

The officer had claimed that he was removed against rules and without being cross-questioned about the allegations he had made. But the ministry of NHS believed that the legal procedure was followed before termination of the officer.

According to the termination letter, Dr Ali was granted 20 days ex-Pakistan leave from Sept 26, 2018. During the leave, he was posted to the pharmacy service division of Drap but he did not report in the division till the date of his termination. An explanation letter was issued but Mr Ali did not reply.

However, the officer said he was suspended by the ministry and not allowed to join any office.

He had also said the ministry submitted a suspension letter to the IHC and did not allow him to join duty.

After analysing the case, the prime minister office decided that Dr Ali should be reinstated.

PYPA writes to IMF

Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association (PYPA) has written a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggesting to it to push the government to complete all criminal investigations against alleged embezzlement, corruption and maladministration in Drap.

The letter, written by PYPA General Secretary Dr Furqan Ibrahim to IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, states that the Senate of Pakistan in 2016 had declared Drap as one of the most corrupt departments in the country.

It also stated that the procurement price of Covid-19 vaccines should be mentioned so that accurate tax could be collected from the income of private companies.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2021