ISLAMABAD: Among many files of promotion awaiting Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's nod, one is that of a doctor whose promotion was deferred by Central Selection Board a few months ago. Though the Central Selection Board denied promotion to same doctor from Grade 19 to 20 for not having sufficient qualification, the prime minister secretariat is said to have approved his case for promotion. An official source told TheNation that the board had deferred the promotion of at least three doctors of Islamabad from grade 19 to grade 20 on different reasons when it met in October last year. "One of these doctors is Dr Shaukat Kiyani, who is presently serving in Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSGH)", the official source further said. While deferring his case, the board had noted that Dr Kiyani was not having a MPH degree, which was compulsory for his promotion in Grade 20. The cases of the two other doctors, Dr Anjum Khawar and Dr Amjad, both serving at the PIMS were also deferred for separate reasons. Dr Khawar's case was deferred for incomplete ACRs while Dr Amjad could not be promoted as his case was sub judice. The health ministry has however lately moved the case of Dr Kiyani for promotion through circulation despite the objection of Central Selection Board. Sources in the Prime Minister Secretariat have revealed that the recommendation of Dr Kiyani's promotion from Grade 19 to 20 has been moved with an unprecedented speed. Though it is routine that many cases get deferred whenever the Selection Board meets but the interest that the PM's Secretariat has shown in the case of Dr Kiyani is a rare event. Dr Shaukat Kiyani when contact by this correspondent, confirmed the whole episode but added that Central Selection Board had mistakenly deferred his case for not having a MPH degree. "I got the MPH Degree from Leeds University in 1985 and was among the very few Asians who obtained the qualification with distinction", the hopeful doctor said. Dr Kiyani further informed this scribe that he gave a presentation to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Guilani after being denied promotion and produced his MPH degree. The doctor said it was his legal right to struggle for his promotion as the same was long due. He further stated that he should have been promoted to Grade 20 after 17 years but was denied that even after serving for 33 long years. Dr Kiyani also pointed out that there was no question of denying him promotion for not having an MPH degree as he obtained the same in 1985 from one of the world's most prestigious universities. When asked why the board had not appreciated the fact Dr Kiyani said, "Either the Board had overlooked the fact or my particulars presented before it were not complete." Dr Kiyani stated that he had also obtained degrees from renowned institutions of Tokyo, Oslo, Korea and Norway in his field besides the MPH. He denied using any illegal way in pursuing his case as it was his legitimate right especially when he had the required qualification for promotion from Grade 19 to 20. Many calls were made to Acting Principal Secretary to Prime Minister for views on the case of Dr Kiyani but to no avail.