PESHAWAR: The Anti-Corruption Department has launched an investigation into the allegations of corruption involving Rs 1.91 billion in medicine procurement.
The Anti-Corruption Department sent a questionnaire to the former Caretaker Health Minister and the Director General (DG) of Health. They are required to respond to 37 questions within five days, according to official documents.
Former DG Health, Dr. Shaukat Ali, has already replied, asserting that all purchases, including medicines and hospital equipment, adhered to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) regulations. He confirmed that procurement advertisements were published in newspapers and that over Rs 4 billion in purchase orders were issued to various drug supply companies.
Documents show that the Finance Department allocated Rs 2.9 billion in installments for essential supplies. However, it is alleged that unnecessary items like gowns, drape sheets, and gloves, totaling Rs 1.91 billion, were procured in breach of policy.
Records also indicate that while Rs 800 million worth of stock was delivered to the central warehouse, over Rs 3.17 billion was paid to suppliers. Additional reports suggest that inspection bills were approved without verifying the actual stock.
