ISLAMABAD: In an unprecedented move, Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has given an additional charge of Pharmacy Council Pakistan secretary, which has its office in Islamabad, to an officer Balochistan Health Department.

According to a notification, issued on June 7 and available with Dawn, the ministry has given the additional charge to secretary to Dr Ghulam Razaque for three months with immediate effect and until further orders. It is further mentioned that the notification has been issued with the approval of Secretary NHS.

An official of ministry, requesting not to be quoted, said that the appointment was also in violation of the orders of the Islamabad High Court and the Pharmacy Act, 1967.

“Appointment of Secretary Pharmacy Council Pakistan (PCP) isn’t the purview of Ministry but Pharmacy Council with the approval of the federal cabinet.

Dr Razaque is an Associate Prof in Balochistan Health Dept and Federal Ministry cannot accord additional charge to it,” he said.

“Dr Razaque is member of the PCP and his appointment as secretary is in violation of rule. Moreover, he is BS-20 officer in Mastung University and will work against post of Secretary BS-18 in Islamabad. Secretary looks after day to day affairs of the council in Islamabad. Mr Razaque will run office from Mastung,” he said.

The official claimed that earlier there was huge pressure on former Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Faisal Sultan and Secretary Aamir Ashraf Khawaja to appoint Dr Razaque as PCP secretary but they refused as the appointment was illegal.

“For the first time in the history, federal government has given a provincial government officer an additional charge and that too without seeking NOC of the provincial government,” he said.

Spokesperson Ministry of NHS Sajid Shah said that Mr Razaque was a competent officer and will address most of the issues of the PCP.

“Appointments are made on the basis of performance and competence. I believe that the performance of PCP will improve in coming days. It is prerogative of the Secretary NHS to appoint any officer,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2022