Health ministry repatriates ex-director general over alleged Illegal appointment

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination has issued a notification revealing that Dr Abdul Baseer Khan Achakzai, the former Director General, has been reassigned to his parent department. This decision comes as it was determined that his appointment was inconsistent with the existing rules and procedures.

According to the notification, Dr Abdul Baseer Khan Achakzai, previously a Senior Medical Officer (BS-18) in the Health Department, Government of Balochistan, has been recalled from his role as Director (BS-19) in the Ministry of Health. This swift decision, prompted by a violation of established rules and procedures, entails his immediate return to his original department in Balochistan.

He was sent back after the approval of the competent authority, i.e., the Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Islamabad, as stated in the notification.

Earlier, in November 2023, HIT reported that an inquiry has been initiated against Dr Abdul Baseer Khan Achakzai, a BS-18 officer from the ex-cadre, who was appointed as director-general of health (BS-20) without specifying his BPS-18 scale in a notification dated February 1, 2023.

The apparent violation of service rules has prompted the health secretary to order a thorough investigation into the alleged illegal appointment and corruption charges.

The health secretary, through a notification, said that Dr Achakzai has extended his deputation and maintained an illicit appointment since 2008 through political influence and personal connections.

To investigate these allegations, a fact-finding committee, chaired by a senior joint secretary (hospitals) and comprising members from the ministry of health, has been constituted.

The notification accused Dr Achakzai of being a professionally average officer involved in financial embezzlement, irregularities, and the misuse of government resources.

It highlighted an instance in 2014 where his deputation to permanent absorption in the health ministry was deemed illegal by the Establishment Division, leading to a directive for his repatriation to the government of Balochistan.

Despite this, Dr Achakzai continues to serve in the health ministry, the notification said.

Read more: Health official faces inquiry over illegal appointment and corruption charges

The recruitment rules of the health ministry stipulate that substantive posts, like DG medical (health) in BPS-20, should be filled through the promotion of regular directors (BPS-19). However, in Dr Baseer Achakzai’s case, these rules have allegedly been violated, prompting a case to be filed against his appointment in the Islamabad High Court.

Responding to the allegations, D Achakzai dismissed them as “total nonsense,” asserting his seniority within the health ministry and attributing the situation to his differences with the current minister on specific postings and the Nursing Council issue.