KASUR: The district health authority is in the spotlight as two aspirants for the seat of the chief executive officer (CEO) have been playing a game of musical chairs since July 22.

The entire health system in the district appears to be in jeopardy, as earlier, doctors and paramedics had been on strike for 21 days at the Kasur District Headquarters Hospital against their medical superintendent (MS). The powers of the MS have been shifted to the deputy MS.

In the health authority office, Dr Muhammad Laeeque was appointed as CEO in March. He was transferred on July 22, to be replaced by Dr Muhammad Talha. Dr Laeeque approached the Punjab Service Tribunal, saying that he was a BS-19 officer and that only the chief minister, and not the health secretary, was the competent authority to transfer him.

The tribunal suspended the orders and stated that the chief secretary could decide the issue. As a result, Dr Talha vacated the office for Dr Laeeque.

On Oct 25, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman appointed Member 2 (Inquiries) of S&GAD Kamran Abdullah Siddiqui to hear Dr Laeeque’s appeal.

Dr Laeeque argued that he was going to retire on Jan 11, 2024, and he was transferred just four months after taking the post. He claimed he had the right to be posted according to his own choice, as per the law. However, Mr Siddiqui observed that Dr Laeeque was transferred for administrative reasons.

The decision of the S&GAD member also clarified that Section 9 of the Punjab Civil Servant Act 1974 stipulates that “every civil servant shall be liable to serve anywhere within or outside the province in any post”. The Act also states that “even otherwise, no civil servant has a vested right to a posting of his own choice”.

The instructions issued by the S&GAD via a letter dated September 8 stipulate that “officials due to retire on attaining the age of superannuation in two years will be given a choice of their last posting. This choice will be either for the station or for the post, but not for both. The authority competent to order the transfer will, so far as possible, honour the choice of the officer but will not be bound to do so.”

The chief secretary also rejected Mr Laeeque’s appeal, noting that the administrative department had already posted him in the same district. Following these orders, Dr Talha assumed the role of the CEO.

Mr Laeeque once again approached the Punjab Service Tribunal, which summoned the parties on Nov 27 and allowed Dr Laeeque to hold the seat.

On Saturday, during a dengue control meeting at his office, DC Arshad Bhatti asked Mr Laeeque to hand over the office keys and the official vehicle to Dr Talha and to replace Dr Talha at Roshan Bheela Hospital as MS. Dr Talha has now taken charge of the CEO office.

Dr Laeeque told Dawn that the DC was biased, and his decision was against the law, as he was holding the position after a stay order from the Punjab Services Tribunal. He also claimed that any tasks performed by Dr Talha as CEO would be illegal.

Dr Talha countered that he is following the orders of the chief secretary, the secretary of primary and secondary healthcare, and the deputy commissioner.

The CEO health position is considered lucrative in terms of postings, transfers, and development funds.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2023