PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi has established a complaint cell to address the grievances of candidates about alleged violation of merit in recruitment of medical officers, dental surgeons and nurses.

Two months ago, the provincial government had announced 2,435 posts, including 1,435 of medical officers (MOs), 250 of dental surgeons (DS) and 734 of registered nurse officers (RNOs), for one-year contractual appointments on fixed pay to strengthen healthcare services, especially at primary level.

Interviews for recruitment of medics in seven divisional headquarters were jointly conducted by commissioners and district health officers.

However, allegations were levelled on social media platforms about irregularities and nepotism in the interview process. The series of allegations on social media prompted the chief minister to establish a portal for redressal of the complaints.

Candidates allege irregularities and nepotism in interview process

“So far, 12,000 complaints have been lodged. Some complaints have been registered by those candidates, who haven’t been selected in the interview at medical teaching institutions in the past or recently and have no connection with the posts in questions,” senior officials told this scribe.

They said that each of the candidates had the option to apply for 10 positions in seven divisions but they were required to prioritise health facilities. They were called to interview on the basis of their applications, they added.

The posts were advertised mostly for basic health units and rural health centres in far flung areas. Few posts were meant for district headquarters hospitals (DHQs), located in cities.

“Mostly doctors aren’t willing to go to remote areas. They prefer to be posted in DHQs where they don’t come on merit due to competition among FCPS passed candidates. On contrary, those, who have opted to give interview for selection in primary level facilities, have been selected because of less competition,” officials said.

They said that seats were limited in DHQs compared to remote areas. One candidate had option to apply for 10 facilities but the FCPS qualified or trained ones applied for only three or four DHQs and didn’t submit applications for hospitals in remote areas, they said.

Officials said that for the first time, health department gave 15 days waiting period to 276 candidates, who were selected in three divisions. “Each of them will get only one post, so, 276 positions will get vacant that will be filled from the candidates according to merit list,” they added.

They said that merit list was prepared on the basis of facility preference given by applicants. “It is not the overall merit in all the seven divisions,” they said. They added that candidates competed for positions in same hospitals where those with high score got selected.

Officials said that some candidates also objected to their placement but they were informed that placement was made strictly in accordance with the priorities given by candidates in applications and not by health department. In some cases, two or more applicants had the same merit but selection was made on the basis of approved formula, they said.

Divisional commissioners were authorised to make recruitments because government wanted to complete the process soon that wasn’t possible through normal test and interview.

Many candidates complained that they secured high marks in interviews but weren’t selected due to intervention by leaders of the ruling party.

Some said that even such doctors were selected as MOs, who hadn’t completed their one-year mandatory house job. Others said that Trainee medical officers (TMOs) had been given jobs in violation of rules.

Health Secretary Shahidullah Khan told Dawn that they were fast-tracking the complaints lodged so far. “TMOs, if selected, will be asked to resign while complaints regarding merit violation are being addressed on priority basis. So far, there is no logical complaint,” he said.

He said that interviews were held for hospital-based positions for which candidates had applied and the competition was among the same applicants for the same facility. “However, we are looking into all complaints and genuine ones will be addressed as per law,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026