ISLAMABAD: A sexual harassment committee at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has begun investigating a cardiac surgeon who was the first person to perform keyhole heart surgery in Pakistan.

The investigation was launched after a postgraduate resident alleged that the surgeon called her to his office and attempted to harass her.

In her application, which is available with Dawn, the complainant alleged that the doctor used inappropriate language, due to which she approached the head of her department.

After this, however, the doctor allegedly began misbehaving with her.

The complaint was referred to a four-member committee

Pims Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Akram told Dawn that the complaint was referred to a four-member sexual harassment committee headed by Dr Shazia Khan. “The inquiry has been started, but it is too early to say if the doctor tried to harass the student, or if some conspiracy has been staged against him. It will take two weeks to complete the inquiry,” he said.

Other members of the committee are Prof Abid Zaheer Farooqi, Prof Nadeem Akhtar and Dr Ayesha Isani Majeed.

The accused doctor told Dawn the allegation was a conspiracy by a group in Pims that was trying to have him sent back to the United Kingdom. He said he has come to Pakistan and is the only physician performing keyhole heart surgery, and has “got sudden fame”.

“A mafia has been opposing me, due to which initially my operations were cancelled with an excuse that an operation theatre was not available,” he claimed. “After that, my equipment was stolen, due to which I had to stop performing operations and gathered tools again.”

He said he has been training junior doctors at Pims, and most of his students are satisfied with his work.

He said the allegation was a “lethal attempt” that aimed to have him sent out of the country.

In response to a question he said he called the complainant to his office during general teaching time, at which time another house officer was also in the office. “No one can call a student during general teaching time to harass her,” he claimed.

A hospital doctor, requesting anonymity, said there was no doubt that the accused doctor was very competent and ready to help students.

However, he claimed he could be too frank and does not pay attention to the presence of women while telling jokes.

"I believe that it is because he lived abroad for a long time, but he should understand that there is different culture and environment in Pakistan."

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2017