ISLAMABAD: The Quetta High Court (QHC) has declared Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan ( DRAP) decision of hiring four directors as illegal and anti-constitutional and ordered to annual its process of hiring four directors against vacant posts of 11 directors.
QHC in its order dated December 30, 2024 observed that the advertisement published in the print media for hiring of only four directors against vacant posts of 11 directors was clear violation of the constitution of Pakistan and also in sheer violation of the provincial quota/share granted under the constitution of Pakistan.
The court order said by hiring only 4 directors was also in violation of DRAP Acct 2012 shows malafide intention of DRAP as it as per the law had no authority to hire officer of the director grade.
The court also issued notices to DRAP chief and three other offices of the organisation as well HEC.
Dr Aleem Akhtar, an aggrieved director of DRAP, had challenged DRAP decision to hire only four directors against vacant posts of 11 directors before QHC. Dr Aleem Akhtar. who hails from Balochistan, , had moved QHC against what has been declared by the court as illegal and anti constitutional decision and demanded of the court to direct to DRAP to stop illegal hiring of directors on pick and choose basis.
DRAP, a key organisation of the federal government, is under fire for years for violating the law and constitution not only in making illegal hirings, but also rampant corruption that is literally ruling DRAP. Its top management is time and again accused of corruption and other unlawful acts , but it remained unquestioned due to close links with ruling elite.
Its top management including DRPA chief, Asim Rauf, is being accused by the senior officers of organization of promoting the culture of corruption in his organisaion. Mr Asim Rauf’s appointment as DRAP chief is also under question.
QHC in its judgement ordered to the federal government to publish in official Gazette Rules for the posts of directors as commended by IHC in its judgement dated 20-9-2024 and then to re-advertise all vacant posts of the directors (including 11 directors reserving the Quota/ share of the provinces).
QHC in its judgement in the case also ordered the competent authority to appoint Dr Aleem Akhtar , as “Director Legal Affairs ” as he secured top position twice for this post . First in 2015 and then in 2023. The court ruled that Dr Aleem Khan questioned illegal appointments in DRAP , besides highlighting other unlawful acts of DRAP top management.
DRAP chief and his cronies not only victimised Dr Aleem Akhtar, a very honest and competent officer, for resisting their unlawful actions , but also showed doors to many other honest officers of the organisation.
Since money-making is the only consideration in DRAP , only those can serve in this organisation who either become party to Asim Rauf and Co’s corruption or turns blind eye to the on-going culture of corruption.