PESHAWAR, June 14: Germany’s ambassador to Pakistan Dr Gunter Mulck visited the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) here on Thursday and expressed concern over the provincial government’s decision to postpone the appointment of a foreigner as chief executive of the hospital.

The NWFP government had decided to hire a foreigner to improve the management of the province’s biggest hospital with financial and technical assistance of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). Sources said the ambassador had held meetings with provincial Health Minister Inayatullah Khan on Wednesday.

“The ambassador said they had spent a huge sum on the process and the government’s refusal at the last minute to postpone the appointment of a foreigner as CE is regrettable,” a source associated with the project said, adding that the envoy had also told the minister that they would not push the matter further unless a fresh request by the government was made.

Talking to Dawn, the minister said he had informed the ambassador that the law and order situation in the province was not conducive for hiring a foreigner at the moment and the appointment could be made sometime in September or October.

“The ambassador termed the move a great disappointment for his government. He visited the LRH and attended a briefing on the issue,” the source said.