Jinnah prefers Iqbal to Zardari for adoption
LAHORE: Jinnah Hospital administration on Wednesday handed over a one-year-old abandoned girl to a couple without issue after refusing some seven other hopefuls, including President Asif Ali Zardari, who wanted the baby for his sister MNA Faryal Talpur.
Allama Iqbal Medical College Principal Prof Dr Javed Akram handed over the baby girl, named Fatima by hospital doctors, to Mr Iqbal and his wife Ayesha in a ceremony organised at the college auditorium.
Scores of senior doctors, nurses and paramedics were also present on the occasion.
Ailing Fatima was left by an unknown woman at the hospital a couple of weeks ago.
Eight people, including President Asif Ali Zardari, had approached the hospital administration for adoption of the baby.
President Zardari had applied for adoption via Pakistan Baita-ul-Mal through a letter dated January 25, addressed to Medical Superintendent Dr Afzal Shaheen, stating, “The President of Pakistan has been pleased to direct that subject girl child may be handed over to Mrs Faryal Talpur, Member National Assembly, and sister of the President.”
The hospital committee constituted for the purpose, however, turned down the president’s request along with those made by seven other hopefuls.
The committee handed over the newborn to the Cavalry Ground couple on the condition that she would be given a share in the family’s property.