Nine secretaries in 19 months: Health ministry reshuffle continues

ISLAMABAD: The federal health ministry has appointed senior bureaucrat Momin Agha as its new secretary, marking the ninth appointment to the position in 19 months under Health Minister Mustafa Kamal.

The Establishment Division issued a notification on Monday, transferring Agha, a BS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), to the health ministry with immediate effect and until further orders.

The frequent changes in the ministry’s top administrative position have raised questions about continuity in its leadership. According to a health sector expert, eight officers had held the post over the past 19 months, with some appointments involving officials who had previously served in the position.

The officials who held the post during this period included Nadeem Mahboob, who remained in office until March 2025, followed by Nasiruddin Mashood until May 2025 and Waqarul Hasan until June 2025.

Hamed Yaqoob served until February 2026, followed by Aslam Ghauri until August. Retired Captain Mahmood then held the position until September 2026, before Fakhre Alam took charge. Mahboob was subsequently given additional charge for one day before Agha’s appointment.

When previously asked about the repeated changes, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the decisions were not within his authority, explaining that the Establishment Division was empowered to make such appointments and transfers.

Agha previously served as petroleum secretary but was removed from the position in January 2026 and directed to report to the Establishment Division without being assigned another post.

He was replaced by Mirza Nasiruddin Ahmad, who received additional charge of the petroleum secretary’s office on a temporary basis until a regular appointment was made.

Agha’s latest posting places him at the administrative helm of the health ministry amid continued changes in its senior leadership.