Islamabad: A BS-17 medical officer, “placed in BS-19”, has been appointed as Director (Technical) of the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), assigning her a key role in the national immunization programme at a time when routine vaccination coverage is faltering, zero-dose children are increasing, and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases continue to emerge across the country.
The appointment, through a notification issued by the Ministry of National Health Services, has drawn criticism within public health circles as the current Director General FDI, Musa Khan, an officer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and brother of senior federal minister Amir Muqam, is due to complete his second look-after tenure on June 12.
Officials familiar with service rules say a third consecutive look-after assignment may not be permissible, raising questions about the future leadership of the directorate.
According to a notification issued by the ministry on June 8, Dr Irum Naveed, a Medical Officer (BS-17/placed in BS-19) at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), has been posted against the BS-19 post of Director (Technical) on deputation for three years or until the availability of a regular incumbent.
The notification has attracted criticism from some health experts because Dr Naveed is identified as a BS-17 officer placed in BS-19 rather than a regular BS-19 officer.
Health officials questioned whether the appointment is consistent with the level of experience and technical expertise traditionally associated with one of the most important technical positions in the country’s immunization system.
Some officials believe the posting could potentially position Dr Naveed for a larger role within the FDI if changes occur in the directorate’s top management, although there is no official indication that she is being considered for any higher assignment.
The Director (Technical) is regarded as the technical backbone of Pakistan’s immunization programme and is responsible for vaccination strategies, disease surveillance, outbreak response, vaccine forecasting, cold chain systems, and coordination with international partners including WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi.
Public health specialists say such positions are generally expected to be filled by professionals with extensive experience in immunization, epidemiology, public health, disease surveillance, vaccinology, or vaccine programme management.
The appointment comes as Pakistan faces persistent immunization gaps, repeated measles outbreaks, continued polio challenges, and growing dependence on international support for vaccine procurement and routine immunization services.
The posting has also revived debate over earlier appointments at the FDI. In late 2024, the ministry assigned the look-after charge of Director General FDI to a senior nursing official from PIMS, while health officials also recalled the appointment of Dr Ghumman from the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital as Director (Technical), both of which drew criticism from sections of the public health community over concerns regarding relevant immunization experience.
Officials at the Ministry of National Health Services have not publicly explained the rationale behind Dr Naveed’s appointment or disclosed whether she possesses specialised experience in immunization, vaccinology, epidemiology, or disease surveillance.
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