Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has defended her daughter’s appointment in King Edward Medical University (KEMU), saying she got the job on merit, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Yasmin Rashid on Tuesday said “An explanation has already been issued, still if someone has doubts he or she can contact the vice-chancellor for further explanation.”

According to 24News TV report the other day, two medical universities in Lahore had been reported to have created new departments to accommodate the daughter of Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid. 

Sources said the King Edward Medical University (KEMU) created a new department with the sole purpose of accommodating Dr Yasmin’s daughter Dr Ayesha Ali as assistant professor of foetal medicine in grade 19. And she has been appointed on a permanent basis, while new appointments are made usually on a contract basis. Immediately after her appointment on January 12 this year, she took leave from duty and flew to London.

Initially, sources said, a new department of foetal medicine was created at the Fatima Jinnah Medical University to accommodate the Punjab health minister’s daughter. She was selected for the post of assistant professor of foetal medicine. However, her appointment was not notified because other applicants for the post had alleged favouritism. They said they were ignored for this post without any reason. 

After a failed attempt to have Dr Yasmin’s daughter recruited to the Fatima Jinnah Medical University, a new department was created at the KEMU and Dr Ayesha was recruited as assistant professor of foetal medicine in grade 19.