- Maryam Nawaz orders arrest of CO Health, MS DHQ hospital, besides dismissal of three lab technicians
- Listens to patients complaints about lack of care and medicine shortages despite availability
PAKPATTAN/LAHORE: Outraged by what she witnessed and heard from the patients and their attendants, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday ordered the registration of a criminal case against the Chief Operating Health Officer of Pakpattan, Dr Sohail Asghar, and DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Adnan Ghaffar, calling for their immediate arrest.
Besides this, the CM ordered the dismissal of three lab technicians found guilty of collaborating with private labs, while three private diagnostic facilities were sealed.
The Punjab CM took swift action against mismanagement, criminal negligence, and corruption during a surprise visit that exposed a storm of negligence and malpractice at DHQ Hospital Pakpattan.
Taking further action, the chief minister ordered the Pakpattan Deputy Commissioner to step down, asking for the posting of a new MS from Sahiwal to DHQ Pakpattan. She also called for a full audit of medical equipment after it transpired that vital equipment was lying unused in stores, and that incubators and other life-saving devices were present but not functional.
عوام کے بیچ، عوام کی وزیر اعلی pic.twitter.com/UZN57CThXM
— Rashid Nasrullah (@RashidNasrulah) July 4, 2025
“It’s not the shortage of doctors or nurses. It’s a shortage of humanity and a sense of duty,” Maryam Nawaz said during her emotional address to the media and staff. “We are spending Rs100 billion on medicines, yet 90% of patients here are being told to purchase medicines from outside. Is this what people come to hospitals for? To die?”
During her inspection of various wards, labs, and stores, CM Maryam listened directly to patients and their families, who raised serious concerns about lack of care, medicine shortages despite availability, extortionate parking fees, and collusion between hospital staff and private businesses. In many cases, patients were being forced to buy medicines from outside, even though hospital stores were stocked—a scam allegedly being run in collusion with private pharmacies.
Outraged by what she witnessed, the Chief Minister ordered a criminal case to be registered against the Chief Operating Health Officer of Pakpattan, Dr. Sohail Asghar, and Medical Superintendent Dr. Adnan Ghaffar, calling for their immediate arrest. She also ordered the dismissal of three lab technicians found guilty of collaborating with private labs, while three private diagnostic facilities were sealed.
Parking mafia too came under fire as complaints surfaced that Rs50 and Rs100 were being illegally charged to patients and visitors. Maryam Nawaz ordered the arrest of the parking contractor and supervisor, and instructed a complete review of the parking system.
The Chief Minister ordered the immediate implementation of Code Red and Code Blue emergency systems, a ban on mobile phone use by doctors and paramedics during duty hours, and the introduction of a pager system for better coordination within hospitals. She also demanded that all pending inquiries be concluded within one week.
According to a preliminary inquiry report presented during her visit, the hospital was found in violation of Health Care Commission regulations, lacked trained critical care staff, and failed to implement basic emergency protocols. Specialist doctors were absent during key hours, consultants were not providing proper oversight, and necessary equipment remained idle.
Visibly moved and angered, Maryam Nawaz questioned how such neglect could persist under the guise of public service. “You don’t need weapons to kill—criminal negligence is enough. Those who do this are not just inefficient; they are the true enemies of the people,” she said, emphasizing, “Fear God. One day we all will be held accountable—not just by the law, but by the Almighty.”
CM Greets National Team for Winning Asian Youth Girls Netball C’ship
“Winning Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship is a milestone in the struggle for women empowerment, especially women’s sports,” said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz while patting tribute to the national team for winning Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025. She added, “Daughters of Pakistan are raising the green crescent flag in every field.
