August 26, 2007	Sunday	Sha’aban 12, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: The health ministry on Saturday barred a pathologist from performing his duties at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in the face of his steadfast desire to run for the country’s president.

Dr Anwarul Haq, whose application to the Election Commission for contesting the presidential election caused a stir in higher echelons, has also been asked to explain his position.

“A notice has been served on Dr Haq seeking clarification,” Federal Secretary for Health Khushnood Akhtar Lashari told Dawn.

The secretary said after listening to the pathologist, action would be taken against him as the law prevented government servants from taking part in elections and making political comments.

Earlier this week, Dr Anwarul Haq submitted an application to the Election Commission, stating that he wanted to contest the upcoming presidential polls.

He sought the commission’s help and called for issuance of a candidature form.

In his application, Dr Haq argued that President Gen Pervez Musharraf was also a government servant and if he could participate in the election why couldn’t he.

The Election Commission forwarded the application to the Federal Ministry of Health, which directed acting Pims Executive Director Ghazala Mehmood to take action against the doctor.

The hospital administration asked Dr Haq to withdraw his application and also retract it in the press, but he refused.