Islamabad: Former Chairman of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Sheikh Akhtar, has been arrested after his pre-arrest bail was rejected by the Special Judge Central Islamabad. The arrest was carried out by the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad, led by SHO Kashif Raiz and Deputy Director FIA ACC Islamabad, Afzal Khan Niazi.
Sheikh Akhtar’s arrest follows revelations that he secured the position of Chairman at DRAP based on a fake PhD degree. The arrest comes in response to Inquiry No. 05/2022 initiated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a complaint filed by Nazaqat Mehmood against Sheikh Akhtar Hussain.
During the Joint Enquiry Team (JET) investigation, it was uncovered that Sheikh Akhtar, while serving as Additional Director at DRAP, deceptively assumed the role of CEO, violating several legal statutes, including 109, 419, 420, 468, 471 PPC r/w 5(2) 47 PCA.
The focus of the inquiry revolved around the alleged use of a forged and unlawful PhD degree from Sri Lanka. Sheikh Akhtar purportedly impersonated himself as a PhD Doctor, maintaining this false credential while executing CEO duties from December 27, 2018, to March 7, 2019. Notably, he held the position in an acting capacity from May 16, 2018, until the appointment of a regular incumbent.
Interpol Colombo, Sri Lanka, verified the copy of Sheikh Akhtar Hussain’s PhD degree during the inquiry, stating, “Your request was forwarded to the University Grant Commission Sri Lanka, and they have confirmed that the so-called Open International University is neither established under any act of parliament nor recognized as a university in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the said PhD degree is fake.”
Accused of fraudulent practices in securing employment and deriving financial gains, Sheikh Akhtar Hussain faces a prima facie case under relevant legal sections. The FIA vows to delve deeper into the investigation, examining the roles of the Scrutiny Committee, Interview Committee, and Policy Board.
This arrest underscores concerns about the integrity of regulatory bodies and highlights the imperative for thorough scrutiny and accountability, especially in critical sectors such as healthcare. The FIA remains committed to ensuring that individuals involved in fraudulent activities face legal consequences, ensuring justice prevails.
