ABBOTTABAD: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has granted interim relief to multiple petitioners in an alleged financial irregularities case at Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH), restraining authorities from taking any adverse action against them until further orders.
The interim order was issued by a bench comprising Justice Abdul Fayaz and Justice Aurangzeb while hearing four writ petitions. The court directed the respondents to submit their comments and fixed April 15 as the next date of hearing. Six officials, including a former hospital director who faced major penalties, challenged the show-cause notices through writ petitions.
The petitioners contended that the MTI Disciplinary Regulations 2025 could not be applied retrospectively to alleged events of 2023.They argued that the inquiry committee was improperly constituted and that the proceedings violated the principles of natural justice. The case originated from alleged financial irregularities during the tenure of the interim government at ATH.
A fact-finding inquiry subsequently established prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, prompting the Board of Governors (BoG) of Ayub Medical Teaching Institution to initiate formal proceedings under the MTI Disciplinary Regulations 2025. A formal inquiry committee, headed by Prof Dr Irum Sarwar (BPS-21) and comprising senior officials from finance, administration and the Health Department, was constituted to investigate the matter.
In its 117th meeting held on March 15, the BoG approved the findings of the inquiry committee and decided to proceed against those found responsible.Subsequently, on March 17, the BoG issued show-cause notices to 16 officials. Of these, 10 officials were charged with major penalties, including possible dismissal and financial recovery, while six others face minor penalties, depending on the nature and extent of their alleged involvement.
Among those served notices was Dr Ather Lodhi, former acting director and Principal Accounting Officer at ATH. The notice, issued by BoG Chairman Dr Abid Jameed, cited allegations of inefficiency, misconduct under disciplinary regulations, unauthorised financial benefits and irregular allowances.
The accused were given an opportunity to submit written replies and seek personal hearings before any final decision.The authorities, however, rejected the petitioners’ claims, maintaining that the proceedings were initiated in 2024 under earlier applicable rules and were lawfully transitioned to the current regulatory framework.
They asserted that the inquiry committee was duly constituted and that all accused individuals were provided adequate opportunities to defend themselves, including hearings and submission of evidence.Disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners were temporarily suspended after the PHC’s interim relief.
