HYDERABAD, Dec 30: Professor Bhika Ram was elected president of the Hyderabad chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association on Friday.

The polls had been declared illegal and unconstitutional by the PMA’s central and provincial bodies a few days ago.

According to results announced by chairman of the election commission Dr Hadi Bux Jatoi at a press conference, Dr Sharif Rathore and Dr Haleem Thebo were elected vice presidents and Dr Mohammad Naseem Shaikh general secretary.

Six other office-bearers, five central councillors, five provincial councillors and 10 members of the executive committee were also elected. Dr M.H. Gulzar and Dr Mohammad Ayoub Khan will act as ex-officio members.

Accompanied by members of the election commission, Mr Jatoi said elections had been endorsed by the general body and were held strictly in accordance with the constitution of the association. Anyone having any doubts about the elections could seek remedy from a court of law, he said.

He said since the status of PMA’s central and Sindh bodies was disputed and sub judice the association refused to acknowledge their existence and no one else would be allowed to interfere in its affairs.

He condemned the murder of Dr Baqar Shah in Quetta and harassment of doctors and paramedical staff of the Liaquat University Hospital of Hyderabad.

He demanded immediate arrest of Dr Baqar’s killers, recovery of kidnapped doctors and adequate security for doctors and paramedical staff of the Liaquat University Hospital.