Nishter surgeon found guilty

Published May 15, 2005

LAHORE, May 14: The Chief Minister’s Inspection Team inquiry officer has reportedly declared Nishter Hospital Multan’s orthopaedic surgeon Prof Ashiq Pervez guilty of sexually harassing his patient. The horrific incident in which the Nishter Medical College and Hospital’s professor was involved had been reported to the college principal by the victim’s husband last month.

The complainant had stated that Prof Pervez made advances to his wife while treating her as well as her son. He alleged that the surgeon molested her and continued to harass her even when he (husband) came to know about the incident. The professor, he said, made repeated calls to the woman compelling her to ‘cooperate’ with him.

The NMC&H principal had sent the complaint as well as evidences to the Punjab health secretary. Subsequently, the health department had moved a summary to the chief minister for Prof Pervez’s suspension.

However, the chief minister directed the CMIT chairman to appoint a team member an inquiry officer. CMIT chairman Shuja Khanzada appointed Brig Tauqir to probe the case of alleged sexual harassment and submit a report.

After conducting a detailed inquiry in Multan, it is learnt that Brig Tauqir has submitted report to the chief minister, stating that Prof Pervez had sexually harassed the woman.

When contacted, Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed confirmed that the inquiry report had been submitted to the chief minister and it had declared Prof Pervez guilty of crime.