Punjab health department reshuffles principals of major medical institutions

The Punjab government has ordered a major reshuffle involving the heads of several leading medical institutions in Lahore and Narowal,

LAHORE: The Punjab government has ordered a major reshuffle involving the heads of several leading medical institutions in Lahore and Narowal, transferring and appointing four senior professors as principals and chief executive officer of Mayo Hospital.

According to an official order issued by the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department on September 25, 2026, the appointments and transfers were made following recommendations of the Select Committee and approval from the competent authority.

Under the notification, Prof. Dr. Uodat Saleem, Professor of Anaesthesia (BS-20) at the Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore, has been appointed as Principal of the Postgraduate Medical Institute, Ameer-ud-Din Medical College and Lahore General Hospital on a regular basis with immediate effect.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Nabi, Professor of Thoracic Surgery (BS-20) and serving Chief Executive Officer of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, has been transferred and appointed as Principal of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Lahore.

The notification further states that Prof. Dr. Shahzad Anwar, Professor of Urology (BS-20) at SIMS, Lahore, has been transferred and appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, on a regular basis.

He will assume the position following the transfer of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Nabi, who had been serving as CEO of Mayo Hospital.

The health department has also appointed Prof. Dr. Farooq Ahmad, Professor of Surgery (BS-20) at Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, as Principal of Narowal Medical College.

His appointment, however, will take effect from October 13, 2026. According to the order, the appointment will follow the retirement of Prof. Ch. Muhammad Kamran, Professor of Surgery (BS-20), who is currently serving as Principal of Narowal Medical College on additional charge.

Prof. Ch. Muhammad Kamran is scheduled to retire upon attaining the age of superannuation, after which Prof. Dr. Farooq Ahmad will assume the principal’s position on a regular basis.

The notification, issued under Order No. SO(AMI-I)5-185/2016, was signed by the Secretary of the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department, Punjab, on September 25.

The department stated that the appointments were made in accordance with the recommendations of the relevant Select Committee and subsequent approval by the competent authority.

The official order also carries verification arrangements through the department’s ICT Cell, including a QR code affixed to the document. An official stamp is also present on the order copy.

The reshuffle affects senior administrative and academic positions at some of Punjab’s prominent public-sector medical institutions, including PGMI, Ameer-ud-Din Medical College, Lahore General Hospital, SIMS, Mayo Hospital and Narowal Medical College.

The changes will bring new leadership to these institutions as the appointed professors take charge of their respective positions according to the dates specified in the government notification.