Govt Replaces Second Health Secretary Within A Month of PIMS Tragedy

The Pakistani federal government has relieved Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Mahmood of his additional role as Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, replacing him with Dr. Muhammad Fakhar Alam Irfan. Dr. Irfan, a BS 22 officer, will serve as Secretary of the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division for three months or until a permanent health secretary is appointed.

Dr. Irfan will continue working as Secretary of the Power Division concurrently. Mahmood was placed in the additional health secretary position last month following the suspension of Muhammad Aslam Ghauri for 120 days due to a tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, which led to the loss of newborn lives. The government's decision came after investigations into Mahmood's prior associations with various high-profile controversies and official inquiries, including the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, Nandipur Power Project, wheat import issue, and policies concerning international telecom operators.

In addition to the health secretary replacement, the government has made several other personnel transfers and postings, including Nasir Aziz Khan moving from the Ministry of Religious Affairs to the Establishment Division, and Naik Hussain Shah's services being made available to the Defence Division as Deputy Secretary. The Inter Provincial Coordination Division Deputy Secretary, Naseem Ahmed Khan, will retire on March 2, 2027.

The promotion of Pakistan Administrative Service officer Asad Ali Khan, which had been notified on June 24, 2025, has been withdrawn due to the promotion not taking place within one year.