ISLAMABAD: The executive director (ED) of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has submitted a reply to a Senate standing committee over allegations of nepotism and malpractices against him by 26 doctors of the hospital. The doctors recently submitted a complaint to the Senate Standing Committee on Health alleging that the ED was involved in nepotism, gender discrimination, workplace harassment, misuse of government resources and power. According to the complaint, available with Dawn, the doctors alleged that there had been multiple instances where doctors from specific ethnic backgrounds had been treated unfairly. They alleged that key appointments and promotions were being given to individuals based on personal connections rather than merit or qualifications. Female doctors were frequently subjected to discriminatory behaviour while both male and female doctors have reported incidents of workplace harassment. They also alleged that there were concerns regarding alleged illegal allocation of resources and misuse of power. The ED of Pims, Dr Rana Imran Sikander, stated that the hospital was an equal opportunity institute and had a zero tolerance policy against discrimination based on racism. He claimed that the administration of Pims comprised multiple positions which were held by officers from Punjab, KP, Sindh, Baluchistan and AJK. Replying to the allegation of nepotism, he claimed that no blood relative or family member of ED was working in Pims while promotions and appointments were being made in accordance with service rules and approval of competent authority i.e. the secretary health. The ED alleged that the complainants were habitual of reaching their workplace late and some of them had managed to get allotted official residences in violation of merit and got annoyed when they were directed to vacate them. He alleged that some complainants were also involved in spreading derogatory material on social media against important heads of state organs/institutions. “In the light of foregoing facts, it is stated that apprehensions of petitioners are based on sweeping statements and stated without any substantial evidence which itself proves that petitioners submitted public petition jointly with prejudiced mind, while facts about their reservations are stated above with true facts. Hence, contention of petitioners is knowingly showed their mala-fide intent to malign the undersigned with negative propagation at highest honourable forum despite of that lot of achievements available on face of record under the leadership of undersigned within short span of time,” he stated.