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Thursday March 28, 2024

Cancellation of interview for LRH dean creates doubts

By Mushtaq Yusufzai
December 16, 2017

PESHAWAR: The unexpected cancellation of an interview for the post of Dean Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) created doubts among the faculty members who accused Board of Governors (BoG) Chairman Dr Nausherwan Burki of having made up his mind to appoint his blue-eyed person.

It was reliably learnt that the position of dean was once again going to be advertised.

The position fell vacant in June 2017 after Dr Arshad Javaid was appointed as the vice-chancellor of the Khyber Medical University (KMU).

Dr Khalid Mehmood of Medicine Department was given the charge of acting dean instead of advertising the position to select a regular dean.

Some senior faculty members told The News that Dr Nausherwan Burki and his team was happy with Dr Khalid Mehmood’s work and that was the reason they were reluctant to advertise the position as they may face problems in case someone else was selected.

The post was advertised a few months back and that too when the faculty members blamed Dr Burki for violating the rules by running the dean’s office on acting charge basis.

A committee was formed with senior faculty member Dr Waqar Alam Jan in the chair.

Other members of the committee included Dr Tariq Burki, Associate Hospital Director, Prof Tahira Bilal, head of Radiology Department, Prof Kifayat, head of Paediatric Surgery and nursing director, all serving in LRH, while one external member was chosen from the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Memorial Hospital Lahore. However, he didn’t for the interview in person and was shortlisted and interviewed on Skype.

The committee shortlisted three candidates including senior neurosurgeon and head of Neurosurgery and Trauma Department LRH, Prof Mumtaz Ali Khan, senior ophthalmologist Dr Mehfooz Hussain and an Australian national, Prof Allen Ross.

According to sources, Prof Allen Ross was on top of the merit list due to his rich academic and research career.He is said to have 100 research papers to his credit. Prof Ross has worked in Australia and the United Kingdom. It was a big surprise to most of the people in Peshawar when he applied for the position.

Most believed that such a learned person would never wish to work in Peshawar. Interestingly, the selection committee invited the three shortlisted candidates for interview on December 15 in LRH.

The two faculty members of LRH were invited to appear before the selection committee in person while Prof Allen Ross was supposed to be interviewed on Skype.

The two candidates as per schedule reached on time and were waiting for their turn when they were informed all of a sudden that since one applicant, Prof Ross has refused to appear in the interview, therefore, it was not possible for them to interview the remaining two.

According to sources, one of the two candidates had cancelled an important academic event in Karachi after he was called to the interview.

“The committee is under tremendous pressure from some people within and outside the hospital. The committee members told the two applicants that as per rules three shortlisted candidates are needed to appear before the interview panel. Since one applicant didn’t come therefore it was not possible for them to interview the remaining two,” said an official of the LRH. He said the committee already knew that Prof Allen Ross would not appear in the interview as he did once before and therefore the committee should have shortlisted other people as well.

Prof Waqar Alam Jan said they followed the rules and regulations and that was the reason behind postponing the interview.

“Dr Nausherwan Burki is due to arrive in Peshawar next week and he is the best person to decide what should be done,” he argued.

Also, a senior official told The News that acting Dean Dr Khalid Mehmood had written a letter to chairman of the selection committee to air his grievances for not being shortlisted.

Dr Khalid Mehmood complained in his letter that Dr Mehfooz Hussain was shortlisted for the position even though he lacked the requisite experience.

Insiders told The News that Dr Nausherwan Burki was under the influence of some faculty members who had always misguided him on important matters. “This is not a shocking that the interview was postponed. The shocking fact is when you know that the whole process is being carried out to select a blue-eyed person,” said one of the applicants.