Dr Tanvir Khaliq Given Additional Charge as PIMS Executive Director
Dr Tanvir Khaliq Given Additional Charge as PIMS Executive Director
The federal government has named Prof Dr Tanvir Khaliq as PIMS executive director, handing him additional charge of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The Ministry of National Health Services issued the notification on October 5, 2026.
Dr Khaliq, a senior medical academic and surgeon, will hold the BPS-21 post of PIMS executive director alongside his existing responsibilities as vice chancellor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU). The arrangement will last for three months or until a regular incumbent becomes available, whichever comes first. The ministry said the decision followed directives from the Prime Minister’s Office communicated on October 2.
PIMS executive director: Salman repatriated to NIH
The same notification round ordered the repatriation of Dr Muhammad Salman, who had been serving as PIMS executive director, to his parent department. He has been directed to resume his duties at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad with immediate effect.
Dr Salman had taken charge of the capital’s largest public-sector hospital at the end of August, after being transferred from the NIH on deputation. His appointment was part of a sweeping administrative reshuffle ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following the August 26 fire in the hospital’s gynaecology ward, which killed 14 newborn babies.
That reshuffle saw the suspension of eight officials, including the then executive director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, after an inquiry committee found the hospital lacked detailed fire-emergency procedures and staff training. Criminal proceedings were also ordered against those held responsible.
Another change at the top in six weeks
The latest move means PIMS has seen three different chief executives in the space of about six weeks. Dr Khaliq now heads both SZABMU and PIMS during the interim period, pending the appointment of a regular executive director for the hospital.
PIMS is Islamabad’s biggest public hospital and carries one of the heaviest patient loads in the country. The repeated leadership changes come as the hospital works through the findings of the fire inquiry and tries to put stronger patient-safety measures in place.
Who is Dr Tanvir Khaliq?
He is a senior surgeon and medical academic serving as vice chancellor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University in Islamabad. He has now been given additional charge of PIMS for three months.
Why was Dr Muhammad Salman removed?
The health ministry has repatriated him to the NIH, where he continues to be identified as chief executive officer on the institute’s official website. He had led PIMS since the end of August, when he was brought in after the deadly nursery fire.
What happened in the PIMS fire?
On August 26, a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward nursery at PIMS, killing 14 of the 15 newborns in the unit. The prime minister ordered the suspension of eight officials and criminal proceedings against those responsible after an inquiry found serious safety lapses.
