MULTAN, May 31: The Nishter Medical College and Hospital orthopaedic surgeon, who was facing charges of sexually harassing a woman patient, has been transferred and directed to report to the provincial health secretary. The Services and General Administration Department has sent a copy of the transfer orders of the surgeon to the provincial ombudsman as well. “This is an extraordinary thing,” observed a senior government official, saying “it means that the government also wants the ombudsman to look into the matter.”

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ashiq Pervez was accused by a patient some two months ago of sexually harassing her while conducting her examination. The doctor had allegedly attempted to abuse her a night before he was scheduled to operate upon her son for his broken knee.

Upon her protest, the surgeon had allegedly threatened her with dire consequences.

He allegedly kept on pressing her for ‘cooperation’ all the time when his son was hospitalized. Later, her husband lodged a complaint with the NMC&H authorities against the surgeon. After a delay of three weeks, a member of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team was assigned the probe.

According to newspaper reports, the CMIT member declared the surgeon guilty of the offence for which he was accused by his patient and her husband. Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed had reportedly also confirmed that the CMIT had found the doctor at fault.