Sheer rules violation: Balochistan-based officer appointed Pharmacy Council secretary

The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has assigned the additional charge of the Pharmacy council of Pakistan to Secretary Dr. Ghulam Razaque for three months with immediate effect and until further orders, as per the notification.

This was an unprecedented move on June 7 when the notification was issued with the consent of Secretary NHS. The office is based in Islamabad and the officer from Balochistan Health Department will look after the charge.

According to an official of the ministry who requested not to be quoted, apprised that the appointment was not only a violation of the orders of the Islamabad High Court but also the Pharmacy Act, 1967.

“Appointment of Secretary Pharmacy Council Pakistan (PCP) isn’t the purview of Ministry but Pharmacy Council with the approval of the federal cabinet. Dr. Razaque is an Associate Prof in Balochistan Health Dept and Federal Ministry cannot accord additional charge to it,” he said.

“Dr. Razaque is a member of the PCP and his appointment as secretary is in violation of the rule. Moreover, he is a BS-20 officer at Mastung University and will work for the post of Secretary BS-18 in Islamabad. Secretary looks after the day-to-day affairs of the council in Islamabad. Mr. Razaque will run office from Mastung,” he added.

The official claimed that earlier there was huge pressure on former Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr. Faisal Sultan and Secretary Aamir Ashraf Khawaja to appoint Dr. Razaque as PCP secretary but they refused as the appointment was illegal.

The concerned official also claimed that in past there was huge pressure on former Special Assistant to Prime Minister(SAPM) Dr. Faisal Sultan and Secretary Aamir Ashraf Khawaja to nominate Dr. Razaque as PCP secretary but they declined as the appointment was unlawful.

“For the first time in the history, the federal government has given a provincial government officer an additional charge and that too without seeking NOC of the provincial government,” he disclosed.

Spokesperson Ministry of NHS Sajid Shah said that Mr. Razaque was a competent officer and will address most of the issues of the PCP.

The ministry of NHS spokesperson said that Mr. Razaque was a competent officer and will address most of the issues of the PCP.

“Appointments are made on the basis of performance and competence. I believe that the performance of PCP will improve in the coming days. It is prerogative of the Secretary NHS to appoint any officer,” he said.