KARACHI: Fresh controversy has erupted in Sindh’s health department after a series of administrative postings triggered serious questions over transparency, merit, and the apparent influence of powerful bureaucratic circles, with senior Health Management Cadre (HMC) officers allegedly being sidelined to accommodate favoured candidates, including spouses of serving senior government secretaries.
The controversy has intensified despite the Sindh Health Department’s May 4 notification constituting a three-member search committee to ensure “need-based, transparent and efficient” postings for key administrative positions including Medical Superintendents and District Health Officers.
However, within days of the committee’s formation, multiple postings have surfaced that senior doctors describe as contradictory to both the stated objective of transparency and the spirit of merit-based administrative governance.
One of the most contentious developments involves Dr Muhammad Paryal Jokhio, a senior Grade-20 Health Management Cadre officer, who was serving as Director, Institute of Skin Diseases Karachi. Sources within the department allege that Dr Paryal became an indirect victim of an internal power struggle, as he was abruptly transferred out of his post, effectively creating a vacancy that was immediately filled by a junior Grade-19 officer.
The same day sequence has raised eyebrows in official circles, with critics alleging that a senior HMC officer was removed not due to performance concerns or administrative necessity, but to make room for a favoured posting linked to influential bureaucratic interests.
In the subsequent notification, Dr Aneela Sadaf, a Grade-19 officer, was posted as Director, Institute of Skin Diseases Karachi after Dr Paryal’s transfer, despite the existence of more senior Health Management Cadre officers specifically trained and designated for administrative leadership roles.
In another controversial case, Dr Akhtar Hussain Mirani, a Grade-19 general cadre officer, was posted as District Health Officer, Naushahro Feroze, again raising questions over why senior Grade-20 Health Management Cadre officers were overlooked for administrative assignments meant to align with management cadre principles.
Questions are also being raised over Services Hospital Karachi, where the Medical Superintendent’s post reportedly carries Grade-20 status, yet sources claim a Grade-19 officer has been accommodated there as well.
Doctors within the system argue that the emerging pattern suggests the recently announced search committee may have been reduced to a procedural formality, while actual decisions continue to be influenced elsewhere.
The controversy has become more politically sensitive amid allegations in doctors’ circles that spouses of serving senior Sindh government secretaries are being preferred for influential health postings, while seasoned administrative officers remain sidelined.
Health officials say this directly undermines the rationale behind the creation of the Health Management Cadre, which was strengthened following Sindh High Court observations emphasizing that trained health management professionals should lead administrative institutions rather than allowing ad hoc or influence-driven appointments.
Senior doctors warn that if highly trained HMC officers continue to be displaced or ignored to accommodate politically connected or influential candidates, it could severely damage morale within the system and weaken governance across public health institutions.
Stakeholders have demanded that the Sindh Health Department clarify the exact role played by the search committee in recent appointments, disclose whether formal recommendations were sought, and explain why senior Health Management Cadre officers continue to be bypassed despite clear policy intent favouring professional health administrators.
