PIMS Burns Centre dispute: VC promises merit-based decision

Islamabad: The dispute over leadership of the Burns Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) is expected to come under review by the PIMS Oversight Committee, with Vice Chancellor & Executive Director Professor Tanwir Khaliq saying that steps are being taken to resolve the matter according to merit and university regulations.

The issue concerns the appointment of doctors to key positions at the Burns Centre and the subsequent transfer of Assistant Professor Dr Muhammad Saaiq to the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM). Dr Saaiq had challenged the appointment arrangements and approached the Islamabad High Court, according to the documents provided.

Responding to the concerns, Professor Tanwir Khaliq said the matter related to a period before he took additional charge as Executive Director of PIMS. He said the issue had recently been discussed in the Senate Standing Committee and that his administration was working to take appropriate steps.

In his response, Professor Khaliq said a meeting of the PIMS Oversight Committee, under the leadership of General Kayani, was scheduled for the following day to resolve the matter in accordance with PIMS regulations. He said he would share an update after the meeting.

He also clarified that the MS Burns Surgery training programme remained intact. According to him, the university had introduced positive changes to the programme in line with current best practices.

The dispute dates back to January 2025, when Professor Tariq Iqbal, then head of the Burns Centre, retired. A seniority list dated January 15, 2025, placed Professor Iqbal at the top and Dr Saaiq at number two among the staff physically working at the centre.

Dr Saaiq had joined PIMS after selection through the Federal Public Service Commission in 2002 as a Medical Officer and was promoted to Assistant Professor of Burns Surgery in 2011.

An experience certificate issued by Professor Tariq Iqbal on January 10, 2025, stated that Dr Saaiq had been working at the Burns Centre since September 1, 2010. It also confirmed that his seniority, salary and service experience had been maintained there as an Assistant Professor since May 24, 2011.

The certificate described him as the only regular faculty member at the centre with FCPS qualifications in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery, along with a Master’s degree in Health Professions Education.

Dr Saaiq has also published more than 100 research papers. He was recognised among the world’s top two per cent of research scientists in 2026, based on research citation data from the Scopus database.

However, an office order dated January 14, 2025, issued by the then PIMS Executive Director, Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, assigned different responsibilities following Professor Iqbal’s retirement. Professor S.H. Waqar, Professor of General Surgery and Head of the General Surgery Department, was designated as Head of the Burns Centre, while Dr Abdul Khaliq, Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery and Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, was assigned the duties of In Charge of Burns Surgery.

The decision raised questions about why Dr Saaiq, despite being next in seniority at the centre, was not assigned the In Charge position and what criteria were used for the appointments.

After making representations to PIMS and the Ministry of National Health Services, Dr Saaiq filed a writ petition in the Islamabad High Court.

On November 5, 2025, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination issued a notification transferring him to NIRM on an attachment basis, with immediate effect and until further orders.

The dispute has also raised questions about the decisions taken by the doctors assigned to lead the Burns Centre and whether an independent surgical audit should be conducted to examine its performance and administration.