MULTAN: Nishtar Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Shahid Bukhari has been removed from his post after the Lahore High Court, Multan Bench, dismissed his petition that had challenged his suspension orders.
With the dismissal of the petition on Friday, the stay granted in his favour was also vacated, which resulted in his removal from the post.
On Dec 11, 2020, Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabbir had suspended the suspension order issued by the health department.
Dr Bukhari had filed the petition through his counsel Qamaruzzman Butt, stating that the chief minister was the competent authority to pass orders against him in service matters and the secretary concerned had no such jurisdiction. He argued his service could not be suspended without initiating proceedings under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act 2006.
In his reply while requesting the court to dismiss the petition of Dr Bukhari, the deputy secretary (general) Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department (SHC&ME) had stated that the petitioner did not come to the court with clean hands.
He said the jurisdiction of the court was barred under the constitution as the matter of the petitioner, being a civil servant, was related to the terms and conditions of his service. He stated there were a number of complaints against the working and behaviour of the petitioner, especially towards the patients, faculty and other staff.
The deputy secretary said the petitioner’s attitude was badly affecting provision of health services to the masses and he was given verbal as well as written counseling time and again but he did not change his attitude.
He stated while keeping in view unprofessional behaviour of Dr Bukhari, his services were placed under suspension on administrative grounds, he was directed to report to the SHC&ME on Oct 14 last and he submitted his joining report to the department on Oct 19.
He stated that the petitioner resumed his duties as MS Nishtar Hospital on Dec 14 after the court suspended his suspension orders on Dec 11.
Justice Anwar Hussain while agreeing with the arguments of the counsel of the department dismissed the petition of Dr Bukhari.
Dr Tariq Peerzada has resumed the charge as the MS of the Nishtar Hospital.
Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2021