PMDC registrar embroiled in misconduct allegations

ISLAMABAD: Allegations of misconduct have been levelled against the registrar of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), with the council’s director legal writing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over what he described as violations of law, financial irregularities and misuse of authority.

According to the letter, PMDC Registrar Dr Rehan Asghar is accused of unlawfully increasing lawyers’ fees by as much as 100 per cent, acting in breach of the PMDC Act 2022, and presiding over judicial proceedings without lawful authority.

The communication states that the registrar prepared what it called a self-styled agenda without consulting the legal department and then allegedly obtained the council’s approval for higher legal fees while concealing important facts. It further claims that these steps caused losses worth millions of rupees to the national exchequer.

The letter also alleges that instead of identifying lawyers said to be involved in issuing bogus invoices, the registrar protected them. It further accuses him of overstepping his powers by assuming the role of competent authority despite being a temporary employee.

According to the allegations, subordinate officers were directed to address the registrar as the competent authority in official correspondence. The letter also raises concerns about alleged interference in registration, licensing and inspection matters, along with purported irregularities in appointments.

Appointment and payment allegations

Among the claims made in the complaint is that a legal adviser was appointed without advertisement or merit, in violation of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules. The letter further alleges that the adviser received a substantial retainer fee and that tax was not deducted from the payment.

The complaint presents these matters as part of a broader pattern of administrative misconduct within the council and seeks the prime minister’s attention to the issues raised.

Registrar rejects claims

Dr Rehan Asghar has denied all allegations. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he described the accusations as baseless and said all decisions at the PMDC are made by the council with the approval of its president and in line with rules and merit.

"I am consulting legal counsel to file a defamation case against the director legal," he said.

Dr Asghar also said the complainant had remained at the PMDC for only around two weeks, excluding holidays, and argued that this made the allegations irrelevant.

The allegations and the registrar’s response present sharply differing accounts of the matter, with the complaint alleging legal and financial wrongdoing and the PMDC official firmly rejecting the claims.