ISLAMABAD, March 14: A serving lady brigadier has been appointed as nursing adviser in the health ministry ignoring three qualified nursing experts in line for the coveted post, well-placed sources told Dawn.

Brig Parveen Aslam has been appointed on a two-year contract in BPS-20.

The sources said that the appointment of a serving brigadier on a civilian post was illegal and against the rules and regulations.

An official of the health ministry denied any violation of rules, when contacted, saying the lady officer has been brought to the ministry on deputation as there was no civilian official available required for the post.

Ms Ghazala, principal College of Nursing, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims); Kalsoom Akhtar, chief nursing superintendent, Pims; and Mehwish Nadir, principal College of Nursing, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College, Karachi with far better qualifications and training had been waiting for the post but they were not considered.

The sources said that the secretary health has asked Pims authorities to relieve some well-trained nurses from the hospital for a period of two months to assist the brigadier in her office works.

The step has created concern among the nursing community.

They said the appointment of a serving army officer on a civilian post was unjust, adding that nursing was a technical job and such a decision could greatly damage it.—Staff Reporter