ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reappointed Prof Dr Naeem Malik as a cardiologist on the contract of two years upon his retirement as the executive director (ED) of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Tuesday.

However, the decision has irked some employees of the hospital, who alleged that it was in violation of Supreme Court order which stated that reappointment of any retired employee affected the promotion and seniority of others.

Moreover, Islamabad High Court (IHC) is already hearing a case against the appointment of Dr Malik as the Pims head.

However, Mr Malik will on Wednesday take the charge as cardiologist at Pims Cardiac Center and will need a new notification to work as an ED again.

Some employees oppose govt decision and say it is against SC order

According to a notification of the Ministry of Health, available with Dawn, “in terms of Civil Servant Rules 1973, the Prime Minister, in capacity of appointing authority, has been pleased to appoint Dr Muhammad Naeem Malik as Professor of Cardiology (BS-20), Pims on contractual basis for a period of two years with effect from April 12, 2023.

“The officer will draw his salary as last permissible/withdrawn by him as Professor of Cardiology (BS-20), Pims.”

According to a civil petition decided by the apex court on April 21, 2009, retired employees have no right to get further extension or re-employment in the government service.

The court regretted that due to extension or re-employment of retired civil servants, the serving employees did not get the chance of promotion.

A doctor of Pims said it was unfortunate that the ministry was giving extension to an officer who had already reached the date of superannuation but was reluctant to implement the directions of the National Assembly Special Committee on Affected Employees, chaired by PPP MNA Qadir Khan Mandokhel, for the regularisation of employees working on contracts for 15 to 20 years.

“According to rules, a retired civil servant cannot be appointed under the federal government unless such re-appointment is necessary in the public interest. However, in this case, there cannot be public interest as eight cardiologists are already working in the cardiac centre, including Professor Dr Mohammad Shafiq, Associate Professor Dr Fazal Aziz, Dr Akhtar Bandesha, Dr Shahab and Dr Nasir,” he said.

“Moreover, although Dr Malik is a cardiologist but he was working as the ED, so even it cannot be said the extension has been given in public interest. His appointment as an ED was also against the rules as a clinician cannot be appointed on an administrative post and a case regarding his appointment as an ED will be heard by the IHC on Wednesday (today),” he said.

Last month, Dr Naveed Ahmed Sheikh, Dr Mohammad Farrukh Kamal, Dr Syeda Ranna Fatima and Dr Saif of Pims approached the IHC, claiming that the appointment of Dr Malik as the ED was “illegal and in violation of the Supreme Court order.”

When contacted, ministry of health’s spokesperson Sajid Shah told Dawn that Dr Malik was one of the best cardiologists and administrators and it would not be a wise decision to lose him.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2023