ISLAMABAD: In a case of appointment beyond its legal term, the government has extended the tenure of National Institute of Health (NIH) chief with effect from July 21, 2018, about two months before its five-year term expires, The News has learnt.
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has issued a notification No F.NO2-43/2016-ED-NIH/Rec-Admn-IV stating that extension in deputation of Prof Dr Brig. Aamir Ikram as Executive Director NIH has been approved for a period of two years with effect from 21-07-2018. Interestingly, his original appointment was for only one year.
The original appointment of the ED was also against the rules as according to Ministry’s notification F.No1-2/2013(admn) dated 05.08.2013, the Executive Director of NIH could be appointed by 80% promotion and 20% by initial appointment.
Despite the constant displeasure expressed by the Supreme Court over appointment through deputation and in clear violation of Ministry’s own notification, Dr Aamir Ikram had been originally appointed as ED NIH on July 21 last year on deputation for one year.
As if the initial violation of rules was not enough, more than three months ahead of expiry of his one-year tenure the government has granted him another extension of two years with effect from July this year.
When contacted, Minister for National Health Services Regulation and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar said she was not aware of the specific violation of rules in the appointment of ED NIH. She said at the time of his initial appointment on deputation the ministry had sought a three-year tenure for him but the Prime Minister Office granted only one-year term.
“In this one year he has improved NIH a lot so we sent another summary to the prime minister for his extension in terms which was approved for two years” the minister said. She said some NIH employees were unhappy with the executive director, as he had enforced discipline in the organization which was in complete disarray before his arrival.
“You could come and see his performance on 16th of this month when the Prime Minister will visit NIH,” the minister said.
When asked why someone from within the NIH was not appointed as chief of the institution as provided in rules, she said the number two and three officers in NIH were no match to the qualification of Prof Dr Brig. Aamir Ikram.
Asked how the government can make appointment for the future, she said ED’s term was expiring in July so the government took decision in advance. The minister said the NIH had not developed its rules for the appointment of ED.
However, the ministry's own notification clearly states that "provided that if no suitable person is available for promotion the post reserved for promotion shall be filled by initial appointment and failing that by transfer and for that matter altogether a different procedure is to be observed. But no such procedure was observed for the appointment of current ED.
Also at the time of Dr Aamir's appointment on 22nd July 2017, another NIH official Dr Amjad Ali fulfilled all the criteria required for the promotion to the post of ED. But he was ignored by the government, sources told The News.