KARACHI: Incumbent NICVD Chief Dr. Nadeem Qamar was stopped from going abroad on May 21, 2022, by order of an accountability court. Court restrained executive director of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases from leaving country without seeking prior permission from court.

According to reports Dr. Nadeem Qamar along with others has been facing National Accountability Bureau inquiry related to alleged corruption and maladministration. He is currently on pre-arrest bail since 2020. Accountability Court-I Judge Abdul Ghani Soomro took up bail matter when Dr. Qamar's counsel moved an application pleading with court to allow his client to travel abroad.

Informed sources disclosed that Dr. Nadeem is allegedly involved in corruption of billions of rupees as reported by DG Audit Sindh. On September 13, 2022 Transparency International has already referred a complaint against him to Prime Minister House Islamabad alleging violation of orders passed by Supreme Court of Pakistan with respect to biased advertisement for post of Executive Director NICVD with sole aim of appointing ex-Executive Director who was paid salary/ allowance of Rs 6.6 million per month for a term of four years. 

Nadeem Qamar was appointed as Executive Director of NICVD in 2015 in direct violation of seniority list of professors and subsequently, Government of Sindh issued a notification appointing him as ED, of NICVD solely on political grounds. He retired from Govt service on May 9, 2018. But he was appointed on a contract basis, in contravention of applicable rules and procedures for four years with effect from May 10, 2018. During his four-year term, Dr. Nadeem Qamar was paid an amount in excess of Rs 380 million against head of salaries and allowances.

In order to ensure re-appointment of Nadeem Qamar, an advertisement based on nepotism and partiality was published by Health Department, Govt of Sindh. Selection criteria in advertisement are drafted to benefit Dr. Nadeem Qamar such as an age limit of 65 years as maximum for application, whereas in all government. Departments of Sindh and federal government maximum age for such positions is 65 years and Nadeem Qamar is presently 64 years old. According to plan he should be awarded another four year term and will become 68 on conclusion of same which is contrary to maximum age specified for government service being 65 years of age. Further taking into consideration that post advertised may be extended for another term of four years, Nadeem Qamar can potentially hold office till he is 72 years old, sources added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 20 2022

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