Controversial appointment in caretaker government comes to light

ISLAMABAD: A controversial appointment within the Ministry of Health during the caretaker government has ignited backlash. Allegations of fraud have surfaced regarding the formation of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC), with sources revealing irregularities in the nomination process.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Petroleum Association announces strike across region

The Ministry of Health is under scrutiny for nominating Farzana Zulfiqar, a woman domiciled in Sindh, to a PNMC position reserved for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Sources from the Ministry of National Health confirmed Zulfiqar’s Sindh domicile, raising questions about the legitimacy of her appointment.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government had originally nominated ‘Mrs. Sartaj Senior Nurse’ for the PNMC role, followed by a letter nominating her – a senior nurse of Grade 16 in GB. However, these nominations were allegedly disregarded, and the GB government’s letters went unanswered by the Ministry of Health.

In response, the GB government has sent multiple reminder letters, protesting Farzana Zulfiqar’s appointment and demanding its cancellation. They argue that Zulfiqar’s nomination on the GB quota is illegal, as she is not a resident of Gilgit-Baltistan. The GB authorities assert that Mrs. Sartaj should rightfully hold the PNMC position.

Pakistani politician goes on trial over alleged child sex offences in UK

Despite these protests, Farzana Zulfiqar has been elected President of the PNMC, further intensifying the dispute. The GB government maintains that Zulfiqar, who worked as a nurse in a private hospital in Gilgit, should not occupy a quota-specific post intended for their region.