STAFF REPORT
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Advisor Ihtesham Ali, while addressing the floor of the provincial assembly, stated that merit is being given top priority in the Health Department and all politically motivated appointments have been completely abolished. He emphasized that systemic improvement is not possible through political interference but through transparency and competence. To that end, placement committees have been formed within the department. The Health Advisor clarified that all recruitments in the Health Department are being conducted through ETEA (Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency), where candidates are selected based on a computer-based testing system followed by interviews and merit lists. He added that although he had the option to recruit hundreds of individuals of his choice through other agencies, he chose to uphold merit and ensure a transparent process. According to Ihtesham Ali, the department receives merit lists from ETEA, and successful candidates are selected under the Estacode after interviews. He further stated that while efforts are made to give preference to local candidates, such preference never compromises merit. The Health Advisor made a bold announcement that if anyone proves that bribery was involved in any recruitment, not only will they be rewarded, but the accused will be made an example of. Ihtesham Ali remarked that the era of influential individuals manipulating recruitment processes is over. For him, merit is paramount, and this directive comes directly from Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who has instructed that merit must be ensured at all costs so that capable and qualified individuals are appointed to public institutions.
