PESHAWAR: The Board of Governors of Hayatabad Medical Complex has sought 10 days to provide documents regarding alleged illegal appointments to an inquiry initiated by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Anti-Corruption Establishment.
In a letter titled “request for adjournment of proceedings”, sent to the deputy director of Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), the secretary of HMC board said that the proceedings might be adjourned for at least 10 days to facilitate appropriate response along with relevant documentary evidence. The secretary has written a letter to ACE with approval of the BoG.
On July 28, ACE informed the BoG of HMC that an open inquiry was initiated regarding allegations of misuse of official authority, financial irregularities, illegal appointments, unlawful administrative actions and other related matters in HMC. It directed the BoG to submit written statements by today (Friday).
According to the letter, ACE wants statements regarding appointments of finance director Ikramullah Jan Khattak, chief internal auditor Shabbir Khattak, director supply chain Mohammad Ishaq Khattak, senior consultant heart failure Dr Mukhtar, senior consultant critical care Dr Shahida Rukhsana Khan, director research and clinical audit Dr Almas Fash, director pharmacy Roheena Zafar and media manager Waseem Khattak in addition to details about upgradation and re-designation of finance department staffers Jahangir Khan, Said Nabi and Mohammad Aftab.
ACE has initiated inquiry into affairs of the teaching hospital
It has instructed BoG to furnish replies backed by relevant documentary evidence and applicable legal provisions. The ACE’s letter said that whether the eligibility criteria prescribed for each of the advertised posts had been duly approved by the BoG prior to issuance of the respective advertisements. “If so, provide details and documentary proof of such approval,” it added.
Whether the appointments, re-designations and upgradations in question were made strictly in accordance with the provisions of Medical Teaching Institutions Reform Act, 2015, the relevant MTI Regulations, and other applicable laws, rules, and government policies, questioned the letter.
“In case of any deviation from the approved eligibility criteria, recruitment procedure, or regulatory framework, specify the nature of such deviation and provide copies of the approvals, if any, obtained from MTI-Policy Board or the BoG of HMC,” it said.
Additionally, ACE has asked the BoG if the academic qualifications, professional credentials and experience certificates of relevant appointees were duly scrutinised and verified by the competent authority of the hospital prior to appointment and whether such documents were found to be genuine and valid. “Relevant verification record may also be furnished,” it said.
It has also asked that if the appointments, re-designations, and upgradations were placed before, considered by, and approved with the knowledge of the BoG and whether the same were in conformity with the law.
Meanwhile, sources said that dean, former hospital director and medical director of HMC have recorded their statements. HMC, one of the biggest tertiary care hospitals in KP, has been in the news following allegations of illegal appointments. Hospital director has also been placed under suspension after he wrote to government as well Policy Board to hold a probe into the allegations.
Last week Young Doctors Association observed four-day strike and called it off on assurance of a probe into the matter. Health department in a notification requested Policy Board to conduct an impartial probe into HMC’s affairs. Policy Board is yet to receive the notification issued by health department on Tuesday.
Sources said that the BoG of HMC denied any wrongdoing and claimed that all appointments were made as per law intended to improve patient care.
Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026