LAHORE: The post of principal at the College of Nursing, Muzaffargarh, has become the centre of a controversy, with allegations that departmental rules were bypassed to favour a junior nurse while three senior-most BPS-18 nurses, entitled to the position, were transferred out of the district.
According to official documents, Kalsoom Bibi, a nursing instructor (BPS-17) at the college, and the most senior among the staff, was assigned the “look-after charge” of the post of the principal from Jan 12 to July 15, 2026, and she performed administrative and academic duties during that period.
In January 2026, Tahmina Bano was recruited through the Punjab Public Service Commission as a nursing instructor (BPS-17) at the same college.
According to a petition submitted by Kalsoom to the secretary Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education (SHC&ME) Department, Ms Tahmina allegedly expressed a desire to assume the principal’s position and subsequently filed complaints against her through the Chief Minister’s Portal, using students’ identities.
The petition stated that two students, Bisma Malik and Zarmeen Khan, were summoned for a hearing and they denied filing the complaints. A subsequent scrutiny allegedly found that the complaints had been lodged by the students’ cousins, which the petition described as a violation of rules regarding the use of citizens’ identities.
Following the complaints, Kalsoom was directed on July 24, 2026, to report back to the SHC&ME Department. In her petition, dated July 27, she sought a fair and transparent inquiry, saying her service record reflected commitment and dedication and that the complaints were motivated by personal interest.
On July 31, the department assigned the additional charge of principal College of Nursing, Muzaffargarh, to Tahmina, the junior instructor, till the posting of a regular incumbent.
Sources in the health department alleged that the additional charge was given at a time when Tahmina herself was on leave and she assumed the charge during that leave period. They further alleged that when the time came for a permanent appointment, three senior-most nurses of BPS-18 in the district were transferred and posted in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Lodhran, removing them from contention.
A notification shows Kalsoom Bibi being promoted to BPS-18 and posted as principal in Lodhran while two others, Shaila Shabir and Asia Waryam, were also promoted to BPS-18 and posted as nursing superintendents at the Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, and Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, DG Khan, respectively.
Sources said orders were also obtained to appoint a Lahore-based senior nurse to the Muzaffargarh post, who was unwilling to relocate to Muzaffargarh. In case of her refusal, they said, the charge of the acting principal’s post was likely to remain with the junior nurse (Tahmina).
A specialised health department spokesperson said that all four senior nurses wanted the post of the principal of the nursing college.
“The department has appointed a senior and they created a fuss over it. Transfer/posting is not a right as it is the prerogative of the administration. It is the right of the department to carry out transfer/posting anytime,” the spokesperson said and added that whatever move had been made it was done on merit.
Tahmina Bano did not reply to calls and messages sent to her phone number for her version.
Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2026
