KARACHI: Transparency International-Pakistan through its letter October 31, 2022 invited attention of Sindh Minister of Health Dr. Azra Pechuho towards complaints against irregularities in appointments/ promotions of officers in NICVD Hospital identified by Director General Audit, causing a loss of Rs 69 million for year 2020-21 (Rs 345 million in 5 years) to national exchequer and allegation of misappropriation of Rs 927.05 million of doubtful transfer of funds from bank account. 

Transparency International Pakistan is a whistleblower and operates under Article 19-A, of Constitution of Pakistan which gives right to public to know how government is being run by public officers. Article 19-A makes right to access information pertaining to a public authority a fundamental right.

According to details, DG Audit Sindh has identified that recruitment of 10 officers in BS-17 and above was not carried out as per requirements mentioned in advertisement. NICVD endorsed recruitment on basis of Board of Governors minutes of meeting which were not even signed by all members. It was observed during audit that qualifications/experiences of these officers were not as per requirements, and their degrees/certificates were not even verified, consequently, payments/salaries made to them were found to be irregular and unauthorised and need to be recovered since time of their appointments/joining. Audit report recommended termination of their services.

According to audit report, a certain record was not produced which creates an impression that there was something wrong that management wanted to conceal from audit’s eye. Matter was pointed out to management, but no reply was received.

An amount of Rs 5.08 billion was paid to employees on account of pay and allowances without maintaining sanctioned/working strength of department. Department is regularly appointing employees in various grades.

In absence of approved/sanctioned strength duly approved by government of Sindh/Governing Body, there is a chance of excess employment over and above sanctioned posts. Matter was pointed out to management but no reply was received.

Therefore, Transparency International Pakistan requested Minister to look into allegations of gross violations of services rules and if allegations are found correct then as stated in audit report 2020-21, recover all amounts caused by irregularities and misappropriations in accounts of NICVD as reported in DG Audit Sindh in Annual Audit and Inspection Report for financial year which may cause Rs 1.27 billion, to national exchequer and take appropriate measures to ensure recommendations of audit report should be implemented.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 02 2022

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