FIA calls DRAP officers over promotion inquiry

Islamabad: Some senior officers of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), including the acting chief executive officer, have failed to appear before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) despite the issuance of call-up notices regarding an inquiry into 'illegal' promotions.

The FIA, Lahore, has formally called them again next Monday.

According to officials, non-compliance with call-up notices for the third time will lead to the issuance of warrants for the arrest of those DRAP officials, including acting DRAP CEO Asim Rauf, director (natural health and OTC) Dr Fakharuddin Aamir, director (admin) Dr Obaidullah additional, director Dr Hafsa Karam Elahi, director at CDL Karachi Saifur Rehman and former DRAP CEO Aslam Afghani.

They have been called by the FIA as part of an inquiry into the 'illegal' promotion of Asim Rauf, Dr Fakharuddin and Dr Obaidullah as additional directors.

An inquiry conducted by the national health services ministry, which oversees the DRAP, on the Prime Minister's Office has also found those promotions to be illegal and recommended the return of the promoted officials to their previous pay scales. It also called for the appointment of a permanent DRAP CEO.