LAHORE: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has lashed out at the Punjab government for delaying appointment of the principal of the King Edward Medical College (KEMC). The PMA office-bearers expressed reservations about neglecting the KEMC and held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the matter. Chaired by PMA President Prof Dr Ashraf Nizami, the meeting was also attended by general secretary Dr Shahid Malik and other office-bearers. Dr Malik said that since retirement of its principal Prof Saqib Saeed, the health department, primarily responsible for the posting, had badly failed to fulfill its obligations. He said the KEMU faculty members were holding the seats of the college against rules. According to the PMA, the health department had allocated these positions under the Sanctioned New Establishment (SNE) for the college but these slots were being occupied by university-recruited staff, contrary to regulations. It said the situation had contributed to a deadlock and frustration among medical professionals. Dr Malik urged the chief minister, health minister and secretary to immediately appoint the KEMC principal. He demanded that the college’s positions be officially separated from the KEMU to allow doctors recruited through the Punjab Public Service Commission to fill these posts.