NAB Inquiry Discloses Errant Appointments in NICVD
After detection of massive irregularities, NAB would probe other high officials of NICVD too
KARACHI: Massive irregularities in hiring have been identified as National Accountability Bureau (NAB) launches an inquiry into errant appointments in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Karachi.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) interrogated NICVD officials including Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Azra Masood and Consultant Haider Awan.
News360 learned that Awan does not even hold a relevant degree and experience. He holds a bachelor’s in Arts degree.
The consultant’s contract ended in April this year. However, the salary is still being credited into his account.
He put the onus on the management and exonerated himself.
NAB also found that the official was being paid a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 million from charity funds including all allowances.
During NAB’s inquiry, the consultant disclosed that back in 2015, Dr Nadeem Qamar called him and asked to join while Dr Azra Masood offered her job when they met for a dinner at Sindh Club.
Operating officer’s errant appointment
Meanwhile, News360 learned that Azra Masood did not have any experience in hospital management.
NAB sources told she was initially hired as a chief operating officer on the basic pay scale (BPS) 20 in 2015. She was hired on adhoc basis and later regularized in six months
Both officials failed to produce degrees and relevant records proving their experience.
They have sought two weeks from NAB to produce credentials.
After detection of massive irregularities, sources said that NAB officials would probe other high officials of NICVD too.
NAB has also interrogated the healthcare facility’s Director of Human Resource (HR) Dawar Hussain.
However, these revelations before corruption watchdog have created a rift in hospital management.
NICVD Director Professor Nadeem Qamar riled Head of Cardiac Surgery Professor Dr Pervaiz Chauhdry and removed him from the seat.
A press conference from the sacked official is expected today.
While talking with News360, Dr Chaudhry said that he must not be held responsible for NAB’s raid.
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He decried that he was among the pioneers who established the NICVD. “I am being rewarded like this”, Dr Chaudhry lamented.
He announced to reveal more tales of corruption in the presser which ‘nobody knows about.
About his background, Dr Chaudhry is graduated from the United States (US).
He launched a Left Ventricle Assist Device (LDVA) program in the healthcare facility.
Consultant issued show cause notice
After NAB’s interrogation, News360 learned that NICVD Consultant Haider Awan was issued a show-cause notice.
However, the hospital management maintained that it was fake.
It stated that the official was involved in errant appointments and misuse of funds.
He was also accused of using NICVD’s head’s stamp while interfering in the administrative affairs.
The notice also stated that Dr Awan was destroying the institution.
Consequently, Dr Tariq Sheikh was removed after the notice.
The show-cause was issued by the NICVD Executive Director (ED), he told.
Subsequently, the hospital management said that the notice was fake while ED has taken notice of it.
