LAHORE, June 3: Postgraduate Medical Institute/Lahore General Hospital board of governors chairman Pervaiz Masood has resigned from his office reportedly over differences with the institute principal at a board meeting on Thursday.

When contacted, Mr Masood confirmed that he had submitted his resignation to the Punjab health secretary. He said that he had cited health reasons for his resignation. He, however, denied that he resigned owing to differences with PGMI/LGH principal Prof Dr Ali Ajwad Shah.

However, it was reliably learnt that Mr Masood developed differences with Prof Shah during the BoG meeting on Thursday. According to sources, Mr Masood wanted to wind up the meeting without completing the agenda, while Prof Shah, who is also secretary to the board, continued to ask him to stay on and complete the agenda.

The sources said the board was discussing institution's financial matters, including approvals for the next budget and purchases. While, he said, some six other items were also on the agenda.

As Mr Masood wanted to wind up the meeting mid-way, the sources said, Prof Shah asked him to finish the agenda because its incompletion would hamper the working of the institution.

The sources said the BoG chairman got flared up and admonished the principal. They claimed that the principal even asked the meeting to record that the chairman had insulted him.

The sources said, consequently, Mr Masood left the meeting and the agenda remained incomplete. When contacted, Prof Shah refused to comment on the issue. He, however, said that he was supposed to look after the interests of the institution.