BAHAWALPUR: Since the transfer of the administrative control of the Government Female Jubilee Hospital (FJH), Bahawalpur, from the medical education and health department to the Punjab health and population department, the facility has been facing serious financial and administrative crises, with hundreds of its employees remaining unpaid for months.

Dawn has learnt that the hospital was earlier being run under the administrative control of chief executive officer (CEO) of Quaid-e-Azam Medical College (QAMC), Bahawalpur. But, in October last, on the direction of the Punjab health department, the facility was transferred to the health and population department, with its administrative control given to Bahawalpur District Health Authority (DHA) CEO.

However, according to the hospital sources, the change of the FJH’s administrative control resulted in administrative and financial issues for the facility.

The sources says that the most serious issue the hospital employees have been facing is non-payment of their salaries for past several months.

Health authority claims the salaries were only delayed; admits budgetary allocation issues

The office-bearers of the Young Doctors’ Association (YDA), Bahawalpur chapter, expressing concern over the prevailing situation in the hospital, have demanded payment of the salaries of the hospital employees.

When contacted, Bahawalpur DHA officials admitted that since the transfer of FJH control to the authority, the facility had been facing issues regarding the budgetary allocation by the provincial health department.

However, they rejected the employees’ claim of non-payment of their five-month salaries, saying that there was a delay in the salaries, but last month, ahead of Eidul Fitr, financial arrangements were made for the payment of their salaries.

However, the officials concerned expressed hope that the health department was expected to resolve the issue of the budgetary allocations to the hospital “in the due course of time”, after which the outstanding dues of the employees would be cleared.

IUB MOOT: The Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB)’s Institute of Forest Sciences and faculty of agriculture and environment on Monday organised a seminar on wildlife conservation in Pakistan to highlight the key challenges and field-based solutions.

According to an IUB’s press release, Ashiq Ahmed Khan, the former chief technical advisor of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan), was the chief guest and keynote speaker at the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khan shared his experiences and stressed the need for community participation, climate adaptation and sustainable conservation of endangered species.

IUB Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies Director Dr Muhammad Abdullah highlighted the institute’s role in linking research with field practices and emphasised collaboration among academia, government and conservation bodies.

Meanwhile, the university’s College of Art and Design, in collaboration with the Centre for Prevention of Harassment, organised an art exhibition titled “Workplace Harassment -- Breaking the Silence.”

According to a press release, the exhibition featured artworks created by students, showcasing their creative skills, while highlighting the critical importance of workplace safety and dignity.

The exhibition attracted a large number of visitors, including faculty members, students and guests, who praised the show, pointing out that addressing such a sensitive issue through artworks is a powerful way to raise awareness and encourage meaningful dialogue among students and community.

IUB VC Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran inaugurated the exhibition.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026