'Fake' degree: IHC reinstates Sheikh Akhtar as DRAP CEO

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday suspended a notification with regard to removal of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Akhtar Hussain, ARY News reported.

Justice Mian Gul Hassan directed the petitioner to resume his duty and issued notices to the official respondents, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of National Health Services, DRAP, the Establishment Division and others to submit their replies to the petition.

Hussain approached the high court assailing his removal by the health ministry over alleged fake degree.

Higher Education Commission had informed the Ministry of National Health Services that it could not recognise DRAP head’s PhD degree as it was obtained from a non-chartered university.

Hussain earned his PhD degree from The Open International University, Colombo, Sri Lankana which was not enlisted as the HEC-chartered universities. The ministry had requested the HEC to verify the degree of CEP DRAP Sheikh Akhtar Hussain.

In a letter to the ministry, the HEC had said as per information contained in international directories like Handbook of Universities and International Handbook of Universities published by the UNESCO as well as information placed on official website of UNESCO, the university is not listed amongst the chartered universities/institutions of Sri Lanka.