ISLAMABAD; Prime Minister, Imran Khan , who had called merit as his top most priority while responding to the public telephonic calls made direct to him on Sunday last, in total contrast to his claim, has recommended name of a candidate having dubious credentials for appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) to the federal cabinet.
An official document made available to NEWSMAN suggested that the prime minister, who is minister incharge of the ministry of Health, has seen the summary and recommended name of Mr Asim Rauf to the federal cabinet for appointment of CEO DRAP.
The federal cabinet is meeting on January 25 (today) to approve appointment of Asif Rauf as DRAP CEO.
The appintment of Asim Rauf as CEO DRAP, if approved by the federal cabinet in its meeting today, would expose prime minister , Imran Khan’s claims of fighting the mafias for betterment of a common Pakistani. Rather , it would establish that mafias like one thriving in medicine sector and struggling to get Asim Rauf appointed as CEO DRAP were real strength of his government.
The official document also indicated that the interview committee had recommended Asim Rauf’s nomination to the policy board of the DRAP for appointment of its CEO.
Asif Rauf is a mysterious character . His promotion from grade 18 to 19 and then induction in DRAP were declared illegal by an official inquiry committee. The inquiry committee in its report authenticated Asif Rauf’s promotion from grade 18 to grade 19 as illegal . It also called Asif Rauf’s induction in DRAP as illegal.This report of the inquiry committee is available with the ministry of Health whose minister incharge is the prime minister himself.
Asif Rauf is holding office of the CEO DRAP since 2019 on look after basis. Inaction against Asim Rauf for his illegal promotion and holding back of inquiry committee by the ministry of Health was enough to understand that Asim Rauf enjoys full protection of a powerful mafia and the same mafia played the role in making him the principal candidate for appointment of DRAP CEO on regular basis.
Noor Mahar , president Pakistan Lawyers Pharmacists Forum spoke to this correspondent on the nomination of Asim Rauf for appointment of CEO DRAP. He said ” Asim Rauf’s recommendation to the federal cabinet for appointment of CEO DRAP is a typical example as to how mafias are being protected by the incumbent government for corruption”.
Noor Mahar called the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) rule as one that undermines the rule of law to favour mafias.