ACE restrained from action against ex-DG of medical college

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Saturday restrained the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) from taking action against former director general Dr Shaukat Ali for alleged embezzlement in the purchase of land and equipment for the Timergara Medical College.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Justice Ejaz Sabi heard the petition filed by Dr Shaukat Ali and issued notices to relevant authorities seeking a response.

Advocates Shamail Ahmad Butt and Hazrat Bilal Tangi, representing the petitioner, informed the court that Dr Shaukat Ali had served in prominent positions, including as Director General Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and had also been the Project Director and later the Chief Executive of Timergara Medical College.

The counsels stated that the Anti-Corruption Establishment had initiated an inquiry into allegations of misappropriation during the purchase of land for the medical college.

According to the counsels, a three-member inquiry committee had been formed to investigate the matter, adding that the committee found no irregularities and confirmed that all processes were conducted in accordance with the law.

The court was informed that a separate inquiry was conducted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in 2024 after an anonymous complaint about the land purchase and procurement of equipment for the college. However, NAB had also closed the inquiry after concluding that no wrongdoing was found.

The counsels said that after Dr Shaukat Ali was removed from his position as Director General, a third inquiry was initiated solely to harass him.

They claimed the Anti-Corruption Establishment, under political pressure, issued fresh notices to Dr Shaukat on January 7, seeking records that were no longer in his possession, as he had been removed from the Project Director position in 2016.

The counsels argued that conducting a third inquiry into the same matter, which had already been investigated twice and dismissed, was unlawful. They urged the court to restrain the Anti-Corruption Establishment proceeding against Dr Shaukat Ali.