PIMS Faces Growing Controversy Over Repeated Contract Extension Requests for Retired Psychiatry Professor
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: A dispute has erupted within the Psychiatry Department at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where official documents reveal a request for a third consecutive extension to the contract of a retired Professor, Dr. Rizwan Taj. This follows claims from within the department that it is already fully staffed, sparking serious concerns over transparency, governance, and the abuse of power within one of the nation’s top medical institutions.
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSRC) sent a formal letter to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) on February 12, 2026, seeking approval to extend Dr. Taj’s contract as Professor of Psychiatry (BS-20) for an additional year, beginning January 5, 2026. Dr. Taj, who retired in 2022, was initially appointed to a two year contract starting January 2023. His first extension from 2023 to 2025, second from 2025 to 2026 January. Total extension period , 3 years, and now he is applying for 3rd time and consecutive 4th year of extension.. The latest request is for a further extension or until a permanent appointment is made.
The Ministry’s justification for this extension revolves around the claim that there are no senior Associate Professors available in the department to take on the Professor role, citing the failure to fill an advertised Associate Professor position. However, this explanation has been sharply contested by department insiders, who argue that PIMS already has several qualified professionals, including Dr. Hafiz Sultan, who is expected to be promoted, and other senior staff members like Dr. Shafqat Nawaz, Dr. Tehreem Nisar, and Dr. Amir Naveed. Furthermore, a new Senior Registrar is about to join, and another medical officer is preparing for the FCPS Part II examination.
Critics of the extension request argue that the department is well equipped with qualified faculty and that repeated reliance on contract extensions undermines merit based promotions and stunts the department’s development. The claims from within the department paint a troubling picture of power misuse, with accusations that Dr. Taj’s repeated extensions are based on self interest rather than actual departmental need.
The latest internal developments have raised broader questions about governance at PIMS, particularly concerning succession planning and the adherence to public service recruitment guidelines. Despite the claims of staff readiness, the Ministry has insisted that FPSC concurrence is necessary for further contract extensions, underscoring the complex political and bureaucratic forces at play.
In a statement addressing the controversy, PIMS Executive Director Imran Sikander emphasized that no current candidate is eligible for the position of Supervisor or Head of the Department due to the lack of the mandatory certificate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSP). He specifically pointed out that Dr. Hafeez Sultan is facing an inquiry under the Establishment and Disciplinary (E&D) rules, which could result in his removal. Additionally, Dr. Tahireen Nisar, Dr. Amir Naveed, and Dr. Najmul are merely Medical Officers, while Dr. Shafqat Nawaz holds the title of Senior Registrar. None of these individuals meet the minimum requirement of being an Associate Professor or Assistant Professor with five years of experience. “We submitted a requisition to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) in late 2023, but the post remains unfilled due to a massive HR crisis involving over 1,200 vacant positions,” Sikander stated. He further clarified that regarding tenure extensions, the Prime Minister holds the exclusive authority to grant ‘relaxation of all rules.’ Sikander also defended Dr. Rizwan Taj, explaining that Taj was fully justifying his dual roles as the PMDC President and his responsibilities at PIMS by actively managing OPDs, wards, and training, despite the challenging workload.
Read in Urdu: ڈاکٹر رضوان تاج کی چوتھے سال کی توسیع کی درخواست؟ پمز میں گورننس پر سوالات
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