ISLAMABAD: While the Establishment Division started the process of extending contracts of 109 nurses, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) terminated their services without getting written directions from the health ministry.

The male and female nurses were appointed during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) under the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Act, and continued working despite the fact the MTI Ordinance was repealed. However on May 1, they were informed by the Pims management to stop working as the hospital did not have funds to pay their salaries.

A nurse, wishing not to be named, said they had not been getting salaries since January 1, 2024.

“We were appointed under the MTI due to which a number of nurses left their jobs and joined Pims. Later the MTI Act was repealed by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government but we were allowed to continue working. A number of doctors and technicians were also appointed along with us under the same Act but they have been allowed to work,” he added.

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He said on May 1, Pims Executive Director Dr Rana Imran Sikandar called them and informed them that their services were no longer required.

“We visited the health ministry and learnt that the ministry had not give any written order in this regard. The management did not even bother to give us one month notice, which was why we are considering contacting the court. However, this week, we came to know that the Establishment Division had started the process of giving us extension, but unfortunately we are not being allowed to work by the Pims management,” the nurse said.

According to documents, available with Dawn, on May 17, the Establishment Division asked the health ministry if legal framework had been adopted at the time of initial appointments, and under which rule the ministry had earlier extended the contracts. The documents also sought the sanctioned strength of employees.

On the other hand, the health ministry, through a document dated May 21 and available with Dawn, asked the Pims management to provide information sought by the Establishment Division.

Pims Executive Director Dr Rana Imran Sikandar told Dawn that the MTI Act had been repealed (during the tenure of the PDM govt) due to which services of the employees had to be terminated but it was decided to extend their contract for one year.

“In December last year I asked the ministry if contracts of the nurses will be extended but I could not get any reply due to which I was left with no option but to terminate their services as I did not have funds to pay salaries,” he said.

When asked why doctors and technicians, appointed under MTI, were working, Dr Rana said no technician was working. “However around 18 medical officers and six doctors were working because they had obtained stay order from the court. However even they are not being paid because we do not have funds,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024