Aasif Mahmood Awan
ABBOTTABAD: The Peshawar High Court has temporarily stayed disciplinary proceedings against officials in the alleged Rs1.37 billion financial irregularities case at Ayub Teaching Hospital, directing authorities to submit detailed responses.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Abdul Fayaz and Justice Aurangzeb issued the order while hearing four constitutional petitions. The court has fixed the next hearing for April 15, 2026.
The case involves 16 officials who were issued show-cause notices, with 10 reportedly facing major penalties including dismissal and recovery of funds. Six officers, including a former hospital director, have challenged the proceedings.
Petitioners argued that the accountability process is flawed, citing concerns over the application of 2025 laws to alleged incidents from 2023, the composition of the inquiry committee, and alleged violations of due process and transparency.
Authorities have rejected these claims, maintaining that the inquiry was conducted in accordance with legal requirements and that the accused were given an opportunity to respond.
The case initially involved alleged irregularities of Rs930 million but later expanded to Rs1.37 billion, largely linked to procurement-related issues.
According to sources, the inquiry was upgraded from a fact-finding exercise to a formal investigation led by Professor Dr Iram Sarwar, with participation from officials of finance, administration and health departments. The findings were approved during the 117th meeting of the Board of Governors on March 15, 2026, after which formal action was initiated.
Allegations outlined in the show-cause notices include unauthorised financial benefits, violation of rules and misuse of government resources.
The High Court’s stay order has temporarily halted the accountability process, adding a legal dimension to the case. Observers say the outcome may have broader implications for transparency and governance within the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
