KARACHI, July 18: The Nishtar Park blast inquiry tribunal adjourned on Tuesday the testimony of doctors for production of detailed record on Wednesday when inquest reports prepared under the criminal procedure code would also be examined.
Dr Simeen Jamali, deputy director, JPMC, and Dr Shan-i-Alam, deputy medical superintendent, Civil Hospital, appeared and recorded their statements. Dr Alam said Civil Hospital could deal with 200 emergency cases at a time. He received information of the blast at 7-15pm and alerted all medical and paramedical staff. However, enraged relatives friends of the victims and activists of the parties involved reached hospital along with the ambulances carrying them. They trespassed into the emergency ward and created hurdles. He claimed that if allowed to work unhindered, the Civil Hospital alone was sufficient to look after the casualties.
Cross-examined by the Sunni Movement counsel Javaid A Chhatari about the names of various doctors assigned emergency duties, the witness said he would have to consult the record for a detailed reply. The tribunal asked him to bring the record on Wednesday. The doctor was earlier examined by Additional Advocate-General Sarwar Khan. He said about 1.1 million patients are examined and treated in the Civil Hospital annually. About 26,000 rations, 200,000 X-rays and 1.5 million laboratory investigations are conducted free of cost annually.
Dr Simeen Jamali said she learnt of the Nishtar Park explosion at about 7-15pm and immediately put into action the disaster plan drawn up by JPMC for emergencies. The hospital has 26 in-patient, 21 out-patient and as many speciality clinics.
There are 400 to 500 patients in every out-patient department. It had facilities to look after 500 to 600 emergency cases in normal circumstances. Asked by the tribunal to submit the hospital’s emergency plan, the doctor said she required time. Her examination-in-chief was adjourned to Wednesday.
Advocate Qazi Subhan Sharif said in his deposition that he participated in the small rally brought out by Maulana Asghar Dars. He appreciated the arrangements made by the police and the Rangers and said the police prevented a clash between the rally and the main procession. He did not proceed to the Nishtar Park and reached Arambagh with the small rally to offer his Maghreb prayers.
