LAHORE, July 13: In the second round of reshuffle on Friday, the Punjab government transferred Allama Iqbal Medical College Principal Prof Dr Javed Akram and posted him as Technical Adviser on Medical Education against a newly-created post in the health department.

King Edward Medical University Prof Mehmood Shaukat (Professor of Pediatrics) has been posted AIMC principal.

Moreover, Multan’s Nishtar Medical College Professor of Pediatrics Dr Khwaja Haroon Khursheed has been transferred and posted as Quaid-i-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Principal vice Professor of Pediatrics Dr Khalid Abbas Bukhari who was directed to relinquish charge of the post. A notification has also been issued accordingly.

A source said these transfers were related to the strike of young doctors.

The intelligence agencies and the parliamentarians had complained to the government that some senior cadre doctors had been backing young doctors during the recent 20-day strike at the outpatient departments of public sector health facilities all over the province.

Punjab Parliamentary Secretary on Health MPA Dr Saeed Elahi has defended the recent reshuffle of the heads of teaching institutions saying Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has desired to restore the bright traditions and values of the health department.

In a statement issued on Friday, Dr Saeed Elahi alleged the Pervaiz Elahi government had ruined the health department by appointing corrupt, junior and incompetent officers against the senior posts.

He said in result the department showed marked deterioration in standards of delivery.

“Now the Punjab government has decided to rehabilitate the health department to provide best health facilities to the poor and the needy,” he said.

Dr Saeed said seniority would be the number one principle in the posting and transfer of principals of medical colleges, medical superintendents, EDOs, DHOs and other high officials.