20 million face masks smuggled out of country with Drap's connivance: PYPA

The Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association (PYPA) has alleged that 20 million face masks have been smuggled out of Pakistan with the connivance of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) authorities.

General Secretary PYPA Furqan Ibrahim on Thursday wrote a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan for taking notice of smuggling of face masks and protections when coronavirus raised concern in Pakistan as well.

The export of masks resulted in severe shortage of face masks across the country, he said. Ibrahim claimed Dr Ghazanfar Ali Khan, additional director (MDMC) with the connivance of Asim Rauf, CEO DRAP and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza issued six permits to export face masks and protections by getting bribe. According to Dr Ibrahim, Pakistan imports masks and protections from China, but when epidemic broke out there then DRAP authorities issued permits for export of masks to China.

General Secretary PYPA submitted there is acute shortage of protections and face masks in entire Pakistan; even hospital staff and cops are not getting protections, adding if medical staff is not getting the equipment then how could they treat patients.

He told Business Recorder when the reporters in a function questioned Asim Rauf CEO DRAP about the masks shortage. His reply was, "If you would give me slightest evidence that a single face mask has been sent out of Pakistan, we will take exemplary action against the accused."

Dr Ibrahim claimed: "However, we provided evidence to Asim Rauf about export of masks, he stated; 'These permits were issued on the request of Chinese Embassy.'"

In his letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Dr Ibrahim questioned whether DRAP is working for the benefits of patients of other countries and against the interest of Pakistani patients?

He said under what authority Dr Ghazanfar Ali Khan from DRAP gave permits for export of face masks/protections to six companies.

Whether Policy Board or Authority permitted Dr Ghazanfar to issue permits to export face masks and protections to China or he on his own, issued permits to export face masks to China.

Who received telephonic call from Chinese Embassy? Why Asim Rauf denied that not a single face mask has been sent out of Pakistan? Whether DRAP was constituted to kill poor Pakistani patients?

Dr Ibrahim said when on 7th February 2020 they had raised this issue that the DRAP is going to aide smuggling of face masks and protections then why permits were issued on 8th February 2020, and why Asim Rauf said that not a single face mask is sent out of Pakistan?

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will resume hearing of petitions seeking appropriate measures from government including constitution of medical board and detention of passengers coming from China to stop the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan today (Friday).

A single bench of IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah will hear the petitions wherein it had previously issued directions to the ministries of National Health Services (NHS) and the Foreign Affairs to place the representations of the students stranded in China as well as of their parents before the federal cabinet.