JPMC under fire over rehiring of retired officials
KARACHI: The Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), one of Pakistan’s largest public-sector hospitals, is facing mounting criticism amid claims that retired employees have been reinstated to key posts — drawing full salaries in addition to their pensions.
According to hospital insiders, several retired officials have reportedly been assigned “special tasks and objectives” which, according to management, cannot be handled by junior staff. Critics argue that this practice not only raises questions about transparency but also deprives junior officers and qualified young graduates of promotion opportunities and employment.
Sources claim that individuals reportedly serving on these re-hired posts include Akhtar Anwar (Education and Training Section), Rana Mehreen (Accounts Section), and Shakil Ahmed and Zaigham (Administration), among others.
Healthcare stakeholders and civil society representatives have urged Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch, Executive Director JPMC Prof. Dr. Shahid Rasool, and Joint Executive Director Dr. Muhammad Salman to take immediate notice of the situation.
They suggested that instead of retaining retired officers for years, JPMC should recruit qualified young professionals on contingency contracts with equivalent salaries. Such a move, they argue, would help reduce unemployment, ensure fair promotions, and strengthen institutional capacity.
This is not the first time the issue has surfaced in the media, but no official action has been reported so far, leaving serious questions about accountability and governance unanswered.
A request for comment from JPMC’s spokesperson went unanswered till the filing of this report.
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