NAB launches probe into Rs1.9bn medicine procurement scandal in KP 

PESHAWAR: Following the recommendations of a high-level committee led by Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Anti-Corruption Brig (retd) Musaddiq Abbasi, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched an inquiry into alleged irregularities in medicine procurement worth Rs1.9 billion in the provincial health department.

The investigation has been launched against 14 officials, including a former health secretary and director general of health. 

Government documents available with HUM New English revealed that irregularities of Rs1.9 billion were uncovered in the procurement of medicines worth Rs4.4 billion for state-run hospitals, which faced widespread complaints about the unavailability of these medicines.

Following these complaints, the KP chief minister had established a six-member committee headed by Brig (retd) Abbasi to probe the matter.

The committee included senior officials from the planning, finance, and establishment departments, as well as the director general of drug control. 

The committee’s findings highlighted significant lapses, including alleged misappropriation of funds, over-procurement of medicines, and inflated prices, all of which inflicted substantial financial losses on the provincial treasury.

The report also held interim health adviser Dr Riaz Anwar and former health secretary Mehmood Aslam responsible for failing to prevent the alleged misappropriation. 

The report had identified several senior officials, including former director-general health Dr Shaukat Ali and additional director administration Dr Siraj responsible for the oversight, recommending disciplinary action against them.

The findings and recommendations had been submitted to the KP chief secretary, health secretary and the chief minister’s principal secretary for further action. 

Sources said that the NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had sought detailed records from the health department regarding the procurement process and the implicated officials. Efforts to contact former health officials for their response remained unsuccessful. 

Health department officials confirmed to HUM News English that all procurement records have been handed over to the NAB, and a special committee, comprising the commissioner of Mardan and the special secretary for home affairs, has been formed to pursue action against the accused officials.