DERA GHAZI KHAN:An official inquiry has been launched atAllama Iqbal Teaching Hospital following the death of a civil judge.

According to the hospital administration, civil judge Sajida Mahboob had a known history of chronic kidney disease and was undergoing regular dialysis. She passed away at the hospital in the early hours.

The medical superintendent has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding her death and the medical management of her case.

The committee is headed by Prof Dr M Khalid Malik, head of the urology department. Its members include Dr Kashif Ali Nutkani (medicine), Dr M Zafar Iqbal (administration), and Dr M Asif Bhutta (nephrology).

The committee has been tasked with reviewing the complete medical record, assessing adherence to standard treatment protocols for chronic kidney disease and dialysis, identifying any lapses or negligence, and fixing responsibility for any procedural or administrative shortcomings. It has been directed to submit its report within 12 hours.

Speaking to this correspondent, Medical Superintendent Dr Mansoor said the patient arrived at around 2:09am and went directly to the dialysis centre, which was closed as per routine timings (12am to 8am). She was then shifted to the emergency ward at 2:18am, where she was admitted and treated until 5:15am.

Responding to a query regarding dialysis facilities, he stated that there is no dialysis provision in the emergency ward. However, one dialysis machine is available in the ICU for emergencies, but the ICU was fully occupied on Friday night.

Meanwhile, the Dera Ghazi Khan District Bar Association and the Alipur Bar announced mourning over the judge’s death.

Lawyers boycotted court proceedings and refrained from appearing in cases.

The funeral prayers were offered in Alipur tehsil of Muzaffargarh district, attended by a number of judges, lawyers, traders, and citizens.

The deceased is survived by four daughters.

Lawyers termed the death an administrative failure and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026