Islamabad: The Ministry of National Health Services has removed Ayaz Mustafa from all key positions following growing complaints from within the health bureaucracy over alleged irregularities, misuse of authority and unwanted media attention that officials said was damaging the ‘ministry’s reputation’.
A senior official confirmed on Monday night that Ayaz Mustafa, who had been working as “Director General to Health Minister” on a post not recognised in the official structure, has been relieved of his roles.
“Yes, he has been shown the door on directives conveyed from the top level,” the official confirmed, stating that the matter had reached a point where senior officers formally communicated concerns regarding his conduct.
Despite not being a medical doctor, Ayaz Mustafa was holding multiple sensitive positions, including Deputy National Coordinator for HIV, TB and Malaria programmes at the Common Management Unit (CMU), while simultaneously functioning as a close aide to the minister.
His control over recruitment processes and postings under various programmes triggered strong internal objections, with senior officers warning that his presence had become a source of negative publicity and institutional embarrassment.
“His name kept surfacing in complaints and controversies. It was becoming counterproductive for the ministry,” an official said, adding that his frequent visibility in official matters had begun to overshadow the technical leadership of health programmes.
His removal comes just weeks after he was promoted to Grade 20, despite being fourth on the seniority list. One eligible officer was disqualified on technical grounds, while two others submitted written refusals for promotion—an extremely rare occurrence in the civil service—clearing the way for his elevation. Senior officials now say that the promotion process itself may come under review.
His initial appointment also sparked controversy as he was posted to a non-existent position titled “Director General to Health Minister,” invoking Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act to grant him Grade 20-equivalent authority. Officials insist there is no such sanctioned post in the ministry’s organogram and that using Section 10 in this context had no legal basis.
Although he used the title “Dr.” in public communication, he is not a registered medical doctor but holds a research doctorate. His service record includes inquiries into dual employment and financial misconduct.
Audit documents from the Sindh Healthcare Commission state that he drew over Rs. 8 million in pay and benefits without obtaining official clearance from his federal parent department, and the Sindh High Court had previously reprimanded him, imposing a fine for misusing judicial time during a dispute over his Sindh post.
Officials within the ministry said his growing influence within HIV, TB and Malaria programmes—major donor-funded initiatives—had raised governance concerns. “Removing him was seen as necessary to safeguard programme credibility and internal administrative discipline,” a senior bureaucrat said.
While the health ministry has not issued a formal explanation, insiders say further administrative scrutiny of his promotion and programme postings is likely. Senior officers have welcomed the move but insist that a deeper examination of how politically-driven appointments continue to bypass established rules is now essential.
“This incident has once again highlighted how easily informal influence can override systems meant to protect merit and governance,” one officer said, warning that unless such practices are curtailed, donor-funded health programmes will continue to face avoidable credibility challenges.
Ends