ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Wednesday put to rest the rumours that retired Justice Tariq Pervez had refused to supervise the elections for executive council members.

Initially, the name of Justice Azmat Saeed, a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, was tipped as the election committee chairman. However, later the responsibility was given to retired Justice Tariq Pervez, who has served as former judge of the Supreme Court, chief justice of the Peshawar High Court and caretaker chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On Wednesday, news began circulating in the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) that Tariq Pervez has refused to hold the elections.

However, PMDC registrar, retired Brig Dr Hafizuddin Ahmed Siddiqui, while talking to Dawn termed the news incorrect.

“Retired Justice Tariq Pervez has continuously been visiting PMDC. Even on Wednesday he (Tariq Pervez) visited the council offices and discussed different arrangements for the election. He will again visit the council building on Thursday,” he said.

“He (retired Justice Tariq Pervez) has been making the effort to ensure transparency in the elections. The news about his resignation is baseless,” he said.

On August 28, President Mamnoon Hussain had promulgated the PMDC Amendment Ordinance 2015 as a result of which the executive council of the PMDC was dissolved. After that new management committee consisting of retired Maj-Gen Azhar Kiyani, Prof Abid Farooqi, Prof Nadeem Rizvi and others formed. Committee was advised to hold elections of the executive council within 120 days. Moreover, new management committee was empowered to run its day to day affairs.

According to a statement issued by the PMDC, the election committee chairman, retired Justice Tariq Pervez during a visit to the council offices on Wednesday said the he had been trying his best to hold fair and transparent elections. The elections will be held on December 5 from 9am to 4pm.

“The last date for submission of nomination of paper is November 3. Objections can be filed by November 9 and nomination papers will be scrutinised on November 10. Appeals against rejection of papers will be filed on November 11 and decision on them will be announced on November 13. Candidature can be withdrawn by November16 and final list of the candidates will be published on November 17,” the statement said.

Tariq Pervez said that only a registered medical/dental practitioner with a valid licence will be allowed to vote and it is mandatory for all medical/dental practitioner to get their licence/faculty registration certificates renewed to qualify for contesting the elections for different seats.

No person shall be considered for nomination under any clause who has been a member of the Council in any capacity whatsoever, during the last five years.

No person shall be eligible to become a member of the Council if he himself, his spouse or children has any conflict of interest as owner or having any financial interest in a medical or dental institution, he said.

He informed that a list of voters and candidates shall be uploaded on PMDC official website.

Over 39 polling stations will be established in different cities to hold the elections.

Published in Dawn October 29th, 2015

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