LAHORE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has launched investigation against former provincial health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) financial scam.

According to an ACE spokesperson, Dr Yasmin Rashid is accused of accepting bribes in parking, canteen and cleaning contracts while PIC Executive Director Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin, Medical Superintendent Dr. Muhammad Tahsin are being probed for allegedly giving bribes to her.

“AMS (Purchase) Dr Shakeel and AMS Store Pharmacy Dr Masood Nawaz have also been summoned by the ACE along with Dr Rashid to respond to the allegations. The suspects have allegedly caused a loss of more than Rs1bn to the exchequer by purchasing stents at high prices and taking commission by violating the PEPRA rules, besides stealing goods worth millions of rupees from the OIC store, including heart batteries,” the ACE said.

The ACE has also started an inquiry against PTI’s former MPAs Naeem Ibrahim and Pir Ahmad Shah Khagga.

According to ACE, Naeem Ibrahim, with the connivance of the staff of the Punjab finance department, built his out-house by illegally occupying 17 marla of government land.

Ahmed Shah Khagga took bribes in the education department in Pakpattan and also recruited people by charging Rs700,000 per post in the education department, it alleged.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2023