Sheikh Akhtar Hussain, who had previously succeeded in declaring himself dead in a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference against him was appointed as Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) chief executive officer (CEO) by the federal government on Thursday.
Hussain, who was previously an officer in the the drug regulatory body, had faced allegations of involvement in embezzlement of Rs51 million but the references against him were dropped by the anti-graft body after the declaration of his death.
“With the approval of the federal government and cabinet decision dated 20.12.2018, Dr Sheikh Akhtar Hussain, is appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan under Ministry of NHS, R&C, on contract basis for a period of three years, in terms of Section 5 of the DRAP Act, 2012, with immediate effect and until further orders,” read a notification confirming his appointment as the CEO.
In November last year, NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal had directed officials to conduct an inquiry against Hussain and those who had helped him make the declaration of death.