Amid escalating scrutiny over alleged illegal appointments, the Board of Governors of Hayatabad Medical Complex has requested a 10-day extension to answer an anti-corruption inquiry. The request, formalized in a letter to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Anti-Corruption Establishment, signals a tense standoff between the hospital's leadership and provincial watchdogs. Main Developments The inquiry, initiated on July 28, targets a range of alleged malpractices, including misuse of authority, financial irregularities, and unlawful administrative actions. The ACE has directed the BoG to submit written statements, with the initial deadline set for Friday. Now, the board has sought additional time to prepare its response, citing the need to gather relevant documentary evidence. At the heart of the inquiry are eight specific appointments, including the finance director, chief internal auditor, and several senior consultants. The ACE has also raised questions about the upgradation and re-designation of three finance department staffers, demanding proof that all actions complied with the Medical Teaching Institutions Reform Act, 2015, and other applicable regulations. Read also: Why Pakistan-Kuwait talks signal a shift in Gulf diplomacy Beyond the names, the ACE is pressing for details on whether eligibility criteria were approved by the BoG before job advertisements were issued. The agency also wants to know if academic credentials and experience certificates were properly verified by the hospital's competent authority, and whether the appointments were formally placed before the board. Background The controversy is not new. Hayatabad Medical Complex, one of KP's largest tertiary care hospitals, has been under the spotlight for months over alleged hiring irregularities. The hospital director was suspended after writing to the government and the Policy Board to investigate the matter. Last week, the Young Doctors Association staged a four-day strike, which was called off only after assurances of a formal probe. The provincial health department has also weighed in, requesting the Policy Board to conduct an impartial investigation. However, as of the latest reports, the Policy Board had not yet received the health department's notification issued on Tuesday. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the dean, former hospital director, and medical director have already recorded their statements with the ACE. Why It Matters This case is a litmus test for accountability in KP's public healthcare sector. If the allegations are substantiated, it could expose systemic flaws in how senior appointments are made at teaching hospitals, potentially affecting patient care and public trust. Conversely, if the BoG's defense holds, it may reinforce the need for clearer procedural oversight. The outcome also has immediate operational implications. A prolonged investigation could disrupt hospital administration and morale, especially after recent strikes and suspensions. Moreover, the precedent set here may influence how other medical institutions in the province handle hiring practices and regulatory compliance. What's Next The BoG now has 10 days to submit its response, complete with documentary evidence and legal justifications. The ACE will then review the submissions and decide whether further action is warranted. In parallel, the Policy Board's awaited receipt of the health department's notification could trigger a separate, broader inquiry into the hospital's affairs. Observers will be watching whether the hospital's leadership can convincingly demonstrate that all appointments adhered to legal standards. The coming weeks are likely to clarify whether this is a case of isolated lapses or deeper institutional failure.