An audit report on Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar has raised serious questions over the appointment of Muhammad Tariq to a senior hospital management position, citing concerns about his qualifications, professional experience and the transparency of the selection process during the previous PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the audit report, Muhammad Tariq was appointed Associate Hospital Director through the Selection and Promotion Committee on January 16, 2017.
The report stated that the position required a master’s degree in hospital or health services management, business management, public health or public administration, along with at least seven years of administrative experience.
However, the audit noted that Tariq had obtained an MBA in 2010 and did not meet the required seven years of post-qualification experience at the time of his application and appointment.
The report also identified discrepancies in his educational and professional experience records, raising questions about the transparency of the recruitment process.
According to the audit, differences were found between the employment periods listed on Tariq’s CV and experience certificates for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and the organisation Sahara.
The report further pointed out that an experience certificate from Sahara was issued on December 16, 2008, while the employment period stated in the document extended until January 20, 2009.
Rs21.88 million paid over 43 months
The audit report stated that Tariq received a monthly salary of Rs508,892. Between his appointment and August 2019, he was paid a total of Rs21,882,356 over 43 months.
The report questioned the appointment in light of the stated eligibility criteria and discrepancies in the available documentation, concluding that the selection process appeared questionable and lacked transparency.
It also stated that the appointment had deprived eligible candidates of an opportunity to secure the position despite concerns about the required post-qualification experience.
Audit recommends inquiry and recovery review
The audit recommended a high-level inquiry into the matter, investigations through the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Anti-Corruption Establishment and the government inspection team, and a review of possible financial recovery under the applicable rules.
The report’s findings have brought the recruitment process and administrative decisions at the century-old hospital under renewed scrutiny.
The controversy has also raised questions about the previous PTI-led provincial government’s handling of senior appointments at public-sector health institutions.
