BAHAWALPUR: The Punjab health department has suspended Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology (PIC), Bahawalpur, Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Ahsan Firdaus from service over “inefficiency and misconduct”.

Though the institute is an independent medical unit, it is a part of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) and is administratively governed by the Principal of Government’s Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur (QAMC).

Dawn has learnt that the suspension of Dr Ahsan Firdaus, a senior medical officer, who held additional charge of the post of MS of the institute, has been ordered on account of his alleged inefficiency and misconduct.

His suspension order (a copy of which is with Dawn), issued on behalf of the Punjab specialised healthcare and medical education secretary, says that Dr Firdaus’ services have been placed under suspension under Section 6 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006. Further action may also be taken against him under PEEDA Act.

The secretary has directed Dr Firdaus to immediately report to the department.

QAMC Principal Prof DR.Sufia Farrukh and focal person Dr Ahmad Hassan Klausra were not available for their comments.

The secretary, through another notification, has assigned the additional charge of the MS post to BVH Principal Medical Officer(PMO) Dr Gohar Bashir for a period of three months or till the posting of a regular incumbent, which ever will be earlier.

ANTI-KITE DRIVE: Schoolchildren on Friday joined the anti-kite flying campaign launched by police and staged a demonstration against the killer sport in Lodhran district.

According to district police spokesperson, Lodhran DSP Ishaque Sial addressed the schoolchildren, who were carrying banners with slogans against kite flying.

Meanwhile, police in Bahawalpur and Lodhran beefed up security of Juma congregations at mosques and Good Friday gathering of Christians in different churches in both districts.

LIBRARY: A non-government organisation (NGO) has established a library at the Government Girls Primary School, Goth Lashkar, in the suburbs of the city.

According to NGO District Coordinator Zubeda Hassan, the library was aimed at promoting the reading habit among schoolchildren.

The library was inaugurated by District Education Authority(DEA) Bahawalpur Chief Executive Authority (CEO) Muhammad Akram.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2024