May 08, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 2, 1429

SIALKOT, May 7: Chief Minster Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the alleged non-availability of doctors and paramedical staff at the emergency ward of Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital, due to which injured MPA Rana Tariq Mahmood could not be provided treatment on Tuesday night and he later expired at a private hospital.

The chief minister directed the district coordination officer (DCO) to conduct a probe into the matter and report back within 24 hours.

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif has also expressed displeasure over the inefficiency and non-availability of doctors.

After condoling with the family of PML-N MPA in Harnah village near Head Marala on Wednesday, Federal Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif informed the chief minister and the PML-N president that the injured MPA was first taken to the emergency of Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital but no doctor or paramedical staff was available to attend him.

This non-availability of the doctors allegedly caused inordinate delay in treatment of the MPA who was later taken to a private hospital but to no avail.

Earlier, Rana Tariq, who defeated former provincial minister Ajmal Cheema at PP-121 during the Feb 18 general elections, was laid to rest in his native village on Wednesday afternoon. Over 15,000 people including political elite of the area and his party attended the funeral.

MPA Rana Tariq and his driver Khalid were killed after being injured in a road accident near Daska on Tuesday night. His qul will be held on Friday (tomorrow).