ISLAMABAD -


Federal Minister for National Regulations & Services Shahzada Jamal Nazir has expressed concerns over the sudden removal of Secretary Imtiaz Inayat Elahi and the appointment of Farooq Awan as Secretary of the Ministry.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, the minister said that the unexpected transfer of the Secretary by the Prime Minster Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has surprised him and he would talk to the PM in this regard.
According to information, the minister had developed a good understanding with the former secretary and had initiated various projects and inquiries at the ministry and its different departments that may affect with this transfer.
The minister informed that after assuming the helm of affairs he has initiated inquiries and administrative changes in almost all subjects, which are under the control of this ministry.
The procedure for registration of drugs has been reviewed in line with stringent measures adopted by international regulatory authorities and directives have been issued to finalize Drug Pricing Policy so that the prices are fixed in a transparent manner and drugs are made available at affordable prices to the general public, he added. He informed that external audit of National Council for Homoeopathy (NCH) has been ordered and show cause notice served to Mahmood-ul-Haq Abbasi for his administrative and financial negligence in the affairs of the Council.
He said that preparation for elections are being made by this Ministry in the light of relevant rules for appointment of a regular Tibb Council composed of relevant members as specified in the UAH Act, 1965.  An inquiry is being conducted expeditiously against the 19 medical colleges recognised by the former Registrar, Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) Dr. Nadeem Akbar Malik.
The ministry has directed to implement the existing PMDC rule for teaching hospitals that they have to make 50 per cent of beds available free of cost to the public.
A case for re-substitution of the post of Director General NR&S to its original nomenclature of Joint Secretary has been submitted to the Prime Minister via the Establishment Division as the same was converted without approval of the competent authority.
The acting Director of Directorate of Central Health Establishment (CHE) Karachi Dr Liaquat Ali Bhutto has been removed on complaints of corruption, favoritism and general administrative mismanagement.  All tenders initiated by Dr Liaquat Ali Bhutto have been cancelled by the Ministry and the CHE has been directed not to initiate any new tender without prior permission of this Ministry.
The minister also shared that the permission given by former Deputy Secretary (Admn) MoNRS, Mustaeen Ahmed Alvi to Pharmacy College in Sahiwal has been withdrawn as the same was issued in contravention of rules without prior approval of the competent authority.