LAHORE, Dec 28: A new body of the Lahore chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has been formed for an interim period to hold association’s biennial election, election commissioners Prof Azeem Jahangir Khan and Prof Riffat Butt told the media at the Lahore Press  Club on Friday.

On the other hand, PMA Lahore office-bearers rejected the new body announced on Friday, saying the step would divide the association representing the medical community for decades.

PMA Lahore General Secretary Dr Izhar Chaudhry called the new body of the association unconstitutional and said the elected president of the new body (PMA Lahore) was not member of the PMA.

Prof Khan said the new PMA Lahore body was formed under the laid down rules and regulations and the step was taken after a campaign titled ‘Movement for Restoration of Pakistan Medical Association’ was launched by several medical associations representing various cadres of doctors.

Prof Butt said Prof Sami Mumtaz had been elected president of PMA Lahore, Dr Ahmad Saleem general secretary, Dr Muhammad Javed vice-president, Dr Shazia Ali vice-president, Dr Rao Fahim finance secretary, Dr Talha Niazi joint secretary and Dr Rehana Kanwal joint secretary.

He said the new body would discharge duties till the next election of the PMA Lahore.

It had been given the mandate to prepare voter lists and complete other formalities to conduct the election smoothly.

On the occasion, Prof Khan also announced the newly-elected office-bearers of PMA’s teaching hospitals chapter.

Prof Mumtaz said he had been elected the PMA Lahore president for an interim period to hold association’s biennial election.