Anutin Cabinet Receives Royal Approval

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has received a total budget of around Rs22 billion over the past three years, according to official budget documents obtained by Minute Mirror. The financial figures have come under scrutiny following the deadly fire in the Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward on August 26. The incident has raised questions about the hospital’s financial management, staffing levels, maintenance and fire safety arrangements. According to the documents, PIMS was allocated Rs6.84 billion during the previous financial year. However, the hospital spent Rs7.51 billion, exceeding the allocated amount by around Rs670 million, or Rs67 crore. For the current financial year, the federal government has allocated Rs7.63 billion to PIMS. The hospital has also been provided Rs500 million, or Rs50 crore, under the repair and maintenance head in the current budget. The allocation has attracted particular attention after the fire. Questions are now being raised about whether adequate funds were used to maintain electrical systems, hospital infrastructure and fire safety equipment. The financial questions have emerged alongside a serious staffing shortage at PIMS. The hospital has 949 vacant positions against 2,451 sanctioned posts. The vacancies include 385 doctors and clinicians, 363 nurses and 201 paramedical staff. Health experts have questioned how a major public hospital receiving billions of rupees in government funding continues to face shortages of medical personnel and concerns about infrastructure and safety. They say staffing gaps can place additional pressure on existing employees and affect patient care, emergency response and hospital management. The August 26 fire has intensified these concerns. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and directed Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to visit PIMS and assess the situation. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the prime minister had also ordered a high-powered investigation into the tragedy. The Establishment Division subsequently suspended National Health Services Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri for 120 days. Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Mahmood, Secretary Housing and Works, was given additional charge of the Health Secretary for three months. The developments have increased calls for the investigation to examine not only the immediate cause of the fire but also the hospital’s broader administrative and financial arrangements. A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that authorities had repeatedly been informed about shortages of staff, equipment and safety facilities. The officer questioned whether the Rs50 crore allocated for repair and maintenance would be used to address fire safety and infrastructure requirements. The official spending figures have also raised questions about the reasons for the previous year’s expenditure exceeding the approved allocation by Rs67 crore. However, the available figures alone do not establish financial wrongdoing. A detailed audit would be required to determine how the additional expenditure was incurred, whether it was properly authorised and where the funds were spent. PIMS is part of a wider staffing problem affecting federal healthcare facilities in Islamabad. More than 1,470 positions are reportedly vacant across four major government hospitals. Besides PIMS, the Polyclinic Hospital has 439 vacant positions, the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine has 29, while the Federal General Hospital has more than 57 vacancies. The combination of large public allocations, vacant positions and concerns over hospital infrastructure has prompted calls for greater transparency in the use of government funds. The key questions now facing authorities include whether maintenance funds were adequately utilised, who authorised spending beyond the allocated budget, whether previous warnings were acted upon and whether the investigation into the PIMS fire will examine possible administrative or financial failures. A comprehensive audit and transparent investigation could help determine whether the problems resulted from insufficient resources, poor utilisation of available funds, weak oversight or administrative failures. Officials have yet to make public a detailed audit of PIMS expenditure or announce a firm timeline for filling the hospital’s vacant positions.

Professor Dr Nigat Shah, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), has clarified that her contract-based employment extension will not affect the posting or promotion of any associate professor. Speaking to the media, Dr Shah said several gynaecology units at JPMC had remained closed since 2013. She said one of the closed units was revived in 2022 to expand medical services and provide treatment to patients. She added that the department is continuing patient care alongside postgraduate training and research. According to Dr Shah, the hospital needs more specialised doctors, and she has no objection to the appointment of any qualified medical professional. Dr Shah stressed that her objective was not to create obstacles for another doctor’s appointment or career progression. She said her contract extension should not be viewed as an attempt to block the posting or promotion of any associate professor. The clarification comes after senior associate professors at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) reportedly raised concerns over Dr Shah’s reappointment. Several affected professors wrote to the Sindh chief minister, Sindh health minister and the federal ombudsman, expressing reservations about the decision. In their letter, the professors claimed that the second paragraph of a Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) notification issued on May 19 had been overlooked. They further maintained that the reappointment could affect the promotions of six associate professors who are awaiting advancement to higher positions. The professors have sought the authorities’ attention to the matter and called for the relevant rules and regulations to be considered while deciding appointments and promotions.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have extended greetings to the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal. In their separate messages, they said the day of 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal provides an opportunity to remember the great blessing of Allah Almighty and renew the commitment to the guidance brought by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). President Zardari said the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) marked the beginning of a bright era based on faith, knowledge, justice and fairness. He said the Prophet’s exemplary life provides a complete path towards success and salvation. The president said a righteous and stable society can only be built on the principles of justice, piety and strong moral values. He added that true love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) requires Muslims to make his Seerah and Sunnah an integral part of their practical lives. He urged people to reflect the Prophet’s teachings through their character, conduct and dealings with others. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) remain an eternal source of guidance for humanity. He said the Prophet’s teachings promote compassion, justice, tolerance, unity and service to others. These values, he added, provide a strong foundation for building a peaceful and prosperous society. The prime minister urged the nation to renew its commitment to shaping individual character and collective behaviour in accordance with the teachings of Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH). He called for a collective resolve to work for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pakistan while promoting unity, brotherhood and mutual respect among citizens. Both leaders stressed the importance of following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and making them part of everyday life.

Islamabad Traffic Police has warned citizens to remain alert against fake e-challan messages being circulated through SMS, WhatsApp, and other online platforms. The police urged the public not to fall victim to online scams and to verify all traffic-related notices through official channels only. In an official statement, the traffic police advised citizens to stay cautious of fake websites, suspicious links, and unverified messages claiming to be issued by government authorities. It said cybercriminals are using fraudulent messages to deceive people into sharing personal or financial information. The police specifically warned citizens not to click on any link included in suspicious SMS or WhatsApp messages related to e-challans. Such links may lead to fake websites designed to steal sensitive information or install malicious software on users’ devices. The statement further advised the public to immediately report any suspicious or fake e-challan message to the nearest police station or the FIA Cyber Crime Wing. Prompt reporting can help authorities trace those involved in online fraud and prevent others from becoming victims. Islamabad Traffic Police also emphasized that citizens should check and verify their e-challans only through the official government website. It urged motorists to avoid relying on messages received from unknown numbers or unofficial sources. The police reiterated that public awareness is essential in preventing cyber fraud. Citizens have been encouraged to remain vigilant, verify all online communications related to traffic fines, and avoid sharing personal information through suspicious websites or links.