Health Secretary Told To Involve PIC Ex-Official In Drug Sale Probe
The Lahore High Court has directed Punjab Health Secretary to involve a sacked pharmacist of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in an inquiry into alleged sale of overpriced medicines at the cardiac care facility.
Pharmacist Fareeha Majeed filed a contempt of court petition, saying the authorities were not involving her in the inquiry despite being the person who unearthed the scam, and that the disclosure resulted in her sacking.
The petitioner’s counsel, Sheraz Zaka, argued that the inquiry proceedings conducted by the Health Secretary were not impartial.
He said the court had ordered the inquiry on a petition filed by Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Mian Mahmoodur Rashid.
He said the petitioner had requested the Secretary to involve her in the inquiry proceedings since she had enough evidence to prove the mala fide on part of the medical superintendent and the medicine contractor.
The counsel said the petitioner was disallowed to join the inquiry owing to the influence exerted by PIC Chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hassaan and Medical Superintendent Sohail Saqlain.
The court disposed of the contempt petition and directed the health secretary to also involve the petitioner-pharmacist in the probe.
This news was previously published in DAWN and it is being republished here with permission.
