Dr Yasmin's daughter's selection for King Edward Medical University top slot draws ire.

Byline: Asif Chaudhry

LAHORE -- The selection of the daughter of Punjab health minister allegedly against a newly created post at the King Edward Medical University (KEMU) has drawn criticism from various quarters, who are calling it favouritism.

The issue came to the fore when some young doctors protesting against the Punjab government's decision to bring the Mayo Hospital under the Medical Teaching Institutions Act uploaded the notification of the appointment in question on social media some 40 days after the decision.

While criticising the act, the protesters claimed that Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid's daughter, Dr Ayesha Ali, was 'accommodated' in the institution by creating a new department only to please the minister. They further said that she was selected as a regular employee rather than on contract.

Social media users pressed the health and other authorities to review the selection. According to the notification issued on Jan 12, Dr Ali was selected for a BPS-19 post of fetal medicine assistant professor by the KEMU selection board.

Selection board member says Dr Ayesha Ali was most qualified, experienced candidate

Dean of surgery and allied, Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan, who is also the chief executive of the Mayo Hospital, rejected the allegations of favouritism, saying that all legal procedures were followed while filling the post. 'Dr Ayesha Ali was the most qualified and experienced person as was required in the advertised post out of all who applied for it,' he claimed.

In fact, he added, no other candidate fulfilled the required qualifications.

'This candidate is working in the UK and getting a handsome salary there,' Prof Khan said, adding that...