LAHORE - Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has issued a directive to appoint a senior doctor Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal as Chairman Shaikh Zayed Hospital vice Dr Anwar A Khan. In a letter addressed to the secretary cabinet division, Islamabad, the authorities were directed to implement the Prime minister's orders with immediate effect. The letter was issued on May 10 of the last month. However, the cabinet division so far has taken no action on the PM's directive. Sources disclosed that the division was reluctant to implement the orders of the prime minister. An official of the division claimed that some hidden hands have stalled action on the PM's directive in this respect, using their influence to stop posting of Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal as next chairman of the Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. The sources claimed that decision of replacing Anwar A Khan was taken on the complaints of poor management in running affairs of the hospital causing hardships to the patients. However, the cabinet division officials claimed that it was a routine posting/transfer issue. Delay in completing major and big projects like the construction of second storey building of the hospital and shortage of medicine are the main complaints against Prof Anwar, forcing the Prime Minister House to take corrective decision in the form of his replacement. At present the hospital is facing deficit of around Rs 17 crore including shortage of medicines of Rs 10 crore, of general store items Rs 4 crore and kitchen items Rs 2 crore. It is pertinent to mention here that the existing chairman of the institute, Prof Dr Anwar A Khan is on three years' extension. His tenure will be completed on August 2009 next year. He had earlier completed his first three years tenure as chairman Shaikh Zayed in 2006. Dr Anwar A Khan was again assigned the same responsibility (as Chairman) for further three years. Despite PM's directive of posting Dr Zafar Iqbal as chairman of the Shaikh Zayed Hospital, the cabinet division has been reluctant in implementing the orders. When contacted in this regard Special Secretary to Prime Minister Ali Arif to confirm that the letter of posting of Dr Zafar Iqbal as chairman has been issued, said that the matter was under process in the cabinet division Islamabad. "The officers concerned are examining the PM's orders and will report back within next few days" he said. Talking to The Nation, Secretary Cabinet Division Islamabad Ghias Uddin said that the letter addressed to the cabinet division was being examined on priority basis. He said during discussion and examining the service record of Chairman Dr Anwar A Khan, it has been learnt that his three years tenure as chairman would end on August 2009 of the next year. He contended that before the completion of his tenure as promised in the contract it would not be advisable to replace him. The secretary cabinet division said that a report would be submitted to the PM within a few days for further directions.