KP Health Minister says exemplary punishment to be given if allegations proved
PESHAWAR
The provincial health minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra ordered probe allegations regarding bribery charges leveled by a doctor that postings and transfers being carried out in the province by paying bribes.
Following the health minister directives, Tahir Orakzai, secretary health formed a two member fact finding committee to probe the allegations of taking bribes on doctor’s postings and transfers.
The committee would submit its report within three days effectively, said a notification issued by the health department.
Additional Secretary (E&A) Fazal Akbar has been made chairman of the committee while Deputy Secretary (Drugs) Ibrahim Khan named its member.
“If the allegations are correct, then let this be a case where exemplary punishment is given. A simple inquiry does not suffice,” said the health minister.
Earlier in the day, Timur Saleem Jhagra in a letter directed the secretary health to take immediate and exemplary actions against the officials of the health secretariat and directorate who were involved in taking bribes on postings and transfers.
Later on, addressing a press conference Timur Saleem Jhagra along with Special Assistant for Information Barrister Saif, said that a complaint was received that that someone in the department had taken bribe from a doctor for posting.
He said that an inquiry has been launched by the Secretary Health, adding that strict action would be taken if someone found guilty of taking bribes on postings and transfers.
Health minister said that a mere inquiry into the case would not be sufficient but the aforementioned case will set an example for 80,000 employees of the KP health department.
He said that amendments have been made in the rules of management service after which the doctor of general cadre will also be able to be appointed to administrative posts.
The provincial health department has established a portal as well as a policy to carry out postings and transfers transparently.
Mr Taimur informed that so far around 2500 applications have been processed by the health department.
