Pharmaceutical Review (Staff Reporter) Dr. Taha Nazir PhD CEO, Advanced Multiple Incorporation Mississauga ON, L5T2M9 Canada (taha@advancedmultiple.ca | office@advancedmultiple.ca | https://www.advancedmultiple.ca | https://www.advancedmultiple.com) has issued letter No.: 41-PE/All today for the Partners & Sponsors of Pak Pharma & Healthcare Expo (Exhibition & Conference) Expo Centre Lahore, Pakistan (https://pakpharmaexpo.com/), regarding the Publication of Conference Abstracts & Proceeding of Pak Pharma & Healthcare Expo -2024.

Advanced Multiple Incorporation is frontline distributor of knowledge through enlightening, informative and high quality events. We are specialized in providing comprehensive information and updates through conferences, journals and exhibitions and cover all major areas. Additionally, we are innovative, creative and resourceful organization that initiate, designed and deploys the knowledge based scientific, academic professional services around the world.

Being conference publication partner of Prime Events Management in Pakistan, we are supporting Pak Pharma & Healthcare Expo since last 5 years. The accepted conferences abstracts or proceedings are published in credible journals of Consortium Publisher – ICDTD Inc., Canada (https://consortiumpublisher.ca | https://consortiumpublisher.com)

Dr. Noreen Sultana is our Ambassador for Southeast Asia and she will collaborate on our behalf to help and support to get published your credible scientific research work. The publication will definitely enhance the scientific credibility and impact of this amazing Pak Pharma & Healthcare Expo – 2024 (https://pakpharmaexpo.com/).

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Phamraceutical Review (Muhammad Usman) Our respected editor Muhammad Usman B. Pharmacy, LLB (Expert in Drug Law and pharmacy Jurisprudence, Advocate Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan) has cover this case and reported to the staff of pharmaceutical review. He reported the major development in DRAP CEO Sheikh Akhter Hussain Fake Degree case as under,
Today (December 22, 2023), the FIA anti corruption circle has raided an office premises in F-10 Markaz on the pointataion of co- accused Raja Khurram Kiyani and Sheikh Akhtar Hussian ex-CEO DRAP During the raid, the FIA anti corruption circle has unearthed an international racket of fake degrees and diplomas being run by fake The Open International University Sri Lanka through its local agents Agents take USD 1000 for MD Degree and USD 1500 for PhD Degree, Agent namely Dr. Muhammad Amin Baig has been arrested, from the search of premises a large number of Blank Degree certificates, Emboss seal, Embose Stamps, stamps related to fake university, admission forms have been recovered. During the search, it has transpired that accused Dr. Amin Baig was also running a fake International Council for issuance of diplomas and certificates propounding it as an international council formulated by the Government of Pakistan, namely, the International Alternative Medical council. It is important to mention here that it’s the same racket of Open International University Sri Lanka that provided Sheikh Akhtar Hussain fake PhD degree. Both the Pakistani agents have been arrested. In due course of investigation, authorities in Sri Lanka will be approached through Interpol to investigate matter in Sri Lanka as well. Accused will be produce tomorrow in court for remand.

Phamraceutical Review (Muhammad Usman) Our editor Muhammad Usman B. Pharmacy, LLB Expert in Drug Law and pharmacy Jurisprudence (Advocate Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan) has cover this case and reported to the staff of pharmaceutical review. The anti-corruption wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) lodged a case against former DRAP CEO Sheikh Akhtar Hussain for holding a fake PhD degree. The First Information Report (FIR) stated that Hussain possessed a dubious doctorate degree to get the CEO post of the country’s top drug regulator. The Sri Lankan Interpol confirmed the fake PhD degree as the degree-awarding institution was not recognised. Teams have been constituted to arrest the former DRAP CEO and raids were also conducted in different localities. Earlier, March,2019; The federal government has removed its top drug regulator for holding a dubious doctorate degree that he used to burnish his credentials when applied for the position of CEO Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). ‘Dr’ Sheikh Akhtar Hussain has also been drawing PhD allowance since 2002 on the basis of this degree recognised nowhere in the world. A report in a news paper  headlined “Not only his PhD, DRAP CEO’s appointment also faces questions” last month revealed how he rigged the system to clinch the top slot.

Ministry of National Health Services ordered inquiry into the matter after this report as it wrote to Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the verification of his degree. It replied that the degree-awarding institution, The Open International University, Colombo, is not recognised even in Sri Lanka, let alone in Pakistan. The ministry removed Sheikh Akhtar on Thursday, almost 10 days after receiving confirmation from the HEC. Intriguingly, Asim Rauf, a close aide of the sacked CEO, has been given the acting charge.

Sheikh Akhtar insisted when contacted in the past about the veracity of degree. Responding to The News’ queries, he had claimed that the university was recognised in Sri Lanka, he though didn’t dispute that it was not in the list of institutions approved by the HEC. A degree unapproved by the HEC can’t be used for job in Pakistan. Sheikh Akhtar Hussain claimed having done PhD in Pharmacology from The Open International University, Colombo (Sri Lanka). The HEC has negated claim that his degree awarding institution is recognised in Sri Lanka. “The Open International University, Colombo is not among the chartered universities/institutions of Sri Lanka,” the HEC wrote back to the ministry.

The university also doesn’t figure in the “International Handbook of Universities” published by Unesco, it has further been explained. “Therefore, as per policy, degrees awarded by non-chartered universities/institutions cannot be recognised by the Higher Education Commission/Government of Pakistan,” reads the HEC reply sent to the ministry.

Intriguingly, the ministry woke up to this disclosure only after media reports but didn’t bother to scrutinise his credentials at the time of selection done in December last year. Sheikh Akhtar was acting CEO by the time the selection process for the regular appointment was carried out. He was also ex-officio secretary of the policy board that was to constitute the scrutiny and interview committees. He is alleged to have manoeuvred the composition of these committees by inducting his choice officers to influence the decision making, a charge he denied in the past and said he didn’t participate in the meeting when the committees were formed.

However, the fact remains that his documents were not scrutinised during the selection process. Sheikh Akhtar replied to this objection in the past that the committee was supposed to determine the suitability of candidates for the post as per DRAP Act 2012, not to examine education credentials. But he didn’t mention that the process was carried out without framing the regulations in line with this Act which directs to make rules for the working of the above-mentioned committees. Even the Establishment Division’s directions were ignored which demanded the committee to satisfy itself regarding the genuineness of documents.

Sheikh Akhtar worked as acting CEO for almost 10 months before his induction as permanent CEO. He was first appointed by the PML-N government for three months in February but continued for another seven months courtesy a former senior judge.

In response to a question raised in the Senate, Health Minister Amir Kayani had revealed through written reply that during the hearing on April 25, 2018, (10 days before the expiry of Sheikh Akhtar’s tenure as acting CEO) “the senior judge verbally directed the then secretary Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, that Dr Sheikh Akhtar Hussain should continue as CEO DRAP till the appointment of regular CEO.”

Later, through another order in November 2018, the former judge directed the Health Ministry to prepare a summary “within a period of two days” for the appointment of permanent CEO which was eventually done in December. Call it a coincidence or well-thought out plan, Sheikh Akhtar, who continued as acting CEO on the verbal order of the judge, got appointed as the permanent CEO. However, an official source dismissed the impression of favouritism on part of the former judge.

Phamraceutical Review (Editor – Muhammad Usman) Our editor Muhammad Usman B. Pharmacy, LLB (Expert Drug Law and pharmacy Jurisprudence Advocate Lahore High Court, Pakistan) has cover this case and reported to the staff of pharmaceutical review. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad has arrested a man involved in making fake degrees, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Khurram Shahzad Kayani, had posed as the Vice Chancellor of the fake Open International University of Sri Lanka and issued fake degrees to various people. The FIA recovered fake seals of the said university from his possession. The FIA said that the arrest was made under the direction of Deputy Director Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad Afzal Khan Niazi, following the guidance of the previously arrested former CEO of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), Sheikh Akhtar Hussain.

Hussain had obtained his appointment as CEO in Drap on the basis of a fake degree issued by the same university. The FIA said that further investigation is underway and more revelations are expected during the interrogation of the accused.

Phamraceutical Review (Editor – Muhammad Usman); Our respected editor Muhammad Usman B. Pharmacy, LLB (Expert Drug Law and pharmacy Jurisprudence Advocate Lahore High Court, Pakistan) has cover this case and reported to the office and staff of pharmaceutical review. Ex CEO of Drug Regulatory Authority ‘Sheikh Akhtar’ Arrested in Fake Degree Case, Reportedly Withdrawn Rs. 2.5 Million/Month. The former CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Sheikh Akhtar Hussain, has been apprehended by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on charges of possessing a fraudulent Ph.D. degree. This arrest follows a comprehensive investigation led by Afzal Niazi, deputy director of FIA Anti-Corruption Circle. Hussain allegedly resorted to extreme measures, faking his death twice, to elude charges related to the counterfeit degree.
The joint FIA team executed raids to capture Hussain, who stands accused of extensive corruption, amassing a staggering wealth exceeding Rs100 billion. His illicit activities include drawing salaries post-termination from government service and receiving allowances based on the forged Ph.D. Hussain’s arrest underscores a grave breach of trust and integrity within the regulatory body, raising concerns about the credibility of individuals occupying pivotal positions.
This case highlights the need for robust checks and balances in government institutions to prevent such instances of deception and corruption. The FIA’s decisive action serves as a deterrent against fraudulent practices within regulatory bodies, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in upholding public trust.

Phamraceutical Review (Editor- Muhammad Usman); Our respected editor Muhammad Usman B. Pharmacy, LLB (Expert Drug Law and pharmacy Jurisprudence Advocate Lahore High Court, Pakistan) has cover this case and reported to the office and staff of pharmaceutical review. Former Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaikh Akhtar Hussain. was on Wednesday arrested when a special court rejected his bail in corruption, misuse of official position for personal gains and fake degree case.
Judge Shahrukh Arjmnad of Special Court Central (FIA Court) ordered arrest of ex-DRAP CEO, Shaikh Akhtar Hussain, in corruption and misuse of his official position as DRAP chief case here.

An FIR No.50/2023 was registered by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against Shaikh Akhtar Hussain on the allegations of fake degree, getting Rs 2.5 million LPR encashment allowance from tax payers money after termination on the order of Hon’ble Islamabad High Court by Federal government. Ex DRAP chief is also alleged in FIR for having assets of billions of rupees which are far beyond his known source of income. In at least two National Accountability Bureau (NAB) corruption references , Shaikh Akhtar Hussain, was reported as a “Dead man”.

Being a crooked of his own class, Shaikh Akthar Hussain managed to dodge NAB to avoid his arrest for years in the corruption cases. He, being a brain child of a powerful lobby of pharmaceutical tycoons functioning in Pakistan, managed to avoid his arrest in dozens of the cases of corruption for many years. The FIR registered against Shaikh Akhtar Hussain said that ex-DRAP chief used a fake degree of PHD to grab position as CEO DRAP in December 2018 and make huge financial gains illegally.

According to the FIR, the degree presented by Shaikh Akhtar Hussain to grab post of CEO DRAP was sent through Interpol for verification from Sri Lankan University which confirmed that the degree in question was fake.

Shaikh Akhtar Hussain had developed a gang of his likeminded officials in DRAP which oversaw fake degree to install him as DRAP chief and collude with him to make financial gains. Ineresstingly, the gang of officials which managed appointment of Akhtar Hussain as DRAP chief is still present in the authority. The same gang tampers DRAP record of DRAP to dodge FIA and other agencies to protest Akhtar Hussain from any punishment.