KP Health Department Scandal: Over Rs 1.25 Billion Misappropriated in Drug Procurement
A major scandal has been uncovered in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, where over Rs 1.25 billion were misappropriated through the issuance of funds without delivering medications. The department issued fraudulent delivery challans as part of the scam.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has completed its inquiry, revealing corruption in drug procurement during the 2023-24 fiscal year. During the last financial year, supply orders worth Rs 4.4 billion were issued for drug procurement, with over Rs 4 billion paid to 50 companies in 2024 alone.
Dr. Shaukat Ali, former Director-General of Health, stated that the majority of the payments were made before the drugs were supplied, although the companies were contractually obligated to provide the drugs. Dr. Shaukat explained that he was removed from his position in 2025, and the court had acknowledged his stance on the matter. He further revealed that companies that should have been blacklisted were still issued supply orders in 2025-26.
Dr. Shaukat confirmed that notices were issued to companies that failed to deliver the drugs, further highlighting the depth of the corruption within the Health Department.
This scandal exposes widespread corruption in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, and further investigations are expected to reveal additional significant details.
