KARACHI: Grave irregularities and blatant discrimination have surfaced in the recent promotion orders of the Sindh Health Department, where several junior officials were elevated to the post of Superintendent (BPS-17) while senior employees were sidelined.
According to official documents, the Provincial Seniority List of Assistants (BPS-16) was formally notified on April 10, 2025, followed by the constitution of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) on April 16, 2025. However, the subsequent promotion orders issued by Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch, with the assistance of Section Officer PM-II Dr. Muhammad Asad Khattari, reveal clear manipulation of rules.
Key Irregularities
Bypassing seniority: Officials appointed between 2013–2015 were promoted, while employees serving since the 1990s and early 2000s were ignored.
Favoritism toward MNCH Program appointees: A majority of those promoted were directly appointed under the MNCH Program on March 25, 2013, and were promoted en masse on August 12, 2025.
Ghost promotions: At least one individual, Noor Muhammad S/o Ghulam Hussain, did not appear in the official seniority list but was still promoted.
Ineligible promotions: Officers who had not completed the mandatory three years of service as Assistant were considered for promotion.
Manipulated seniority entries: Both Assistants Muhammad Akram Mallah and Muhammad Sohaib Roomi were regularized on October 2, 2014, with effect from July 1, 2012, under Supreme Court orders. However, in a glaring act of favoritism, Roomi was placed above Mallah despite being junior in appointment and age, granting him undue advantage.
Promotion Details Under Scrutiny
Abdul Rehman Bhutto (Seniority No. 29) – Appointed in 2013, promoted on May 9, 2025.
Ali Asghar Soomro, Nadeem Ali, Muhammad Asim Khan, Ajaz Ahmed, Abdul Hakeem, Saghir Ahmed Soomro, Motilal, Nadia Mureed, Muhammad Owais, Shadab Alam, Sharjeel Ahmed Farooqi – All appointed on March 25, 2013 under MNCH Program, promoted August 12, 2025.
Zakir Hussain Gopang (Seniority No. 62, appointed 2015) – Promoted over dozens of seniors.
Danesh Puri (Seniority No. 81, appointed 2021) and Irshad Ali (Seniority No. 85, appointed 2021) – Considered despite being junior and ineligible.
Impact on Senior Staff
The irregularities have sparked unrest among senior Assistants who have served for over two decades but remain deprived of their due rights. The case of Akram Mallah vs. Sohaib Roomi has become symbolic of the manipulation, as a senior official was deliberately sidelined to favor a junior.
Conclusion
The controversial promotion orders have raised serious questions about transparency and governance within the Sindh Health Department. Stakeholders and employee associations are demanding the immediate cancellation of the discriminatory promotions, strict adherence to the seniority list, and accountability of those responsible for undermining merit.
