The health ministry has refuted reports regarding its decision to appoint serving officers of the Pakistan Army Medical Corps as the heads of the two largest state-run hospitals in Islamabad.

A spokesperson for the health ministry on Sunday said that the appointment of the heads of the hospitals will be made under the recruitment rules.

His statement came after reports circulated that the caretaker government has decided to appoint serving officers of the Pakistan Army as the heads of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and Polyclinic – on deputation for three years.

“The decision was taken in meeting under the chair of the health minister on August 25. The government will ensure transparency and merit in the appointments,” the spokesperson said.

He went on to add that the ministry will appoint eligible candidates for the post who will ensure the provision of better treatment facilities to the masses.

The appointment of the hospitals’ head came to light after several journalists including Waseem Abbasi and Uzair Younus shared a letter on X, in which the health ministry asked for services from the Pakistan Army Medical Corps as an interim arrangement “due to the non-availability of any eligible officer from the feeding cadre for promotion as ED, PIMS and FGPC.”