MITHI/LARKANA: The purported ‘suicide note’ left by chief medical officer of the Mithi Civil Hospital Dr Abdul Karim Sheikh on Saturday has caused unrest among his community members and medical professionals who held demonstrations in several cities and towns on Monday.
Dr Sheikh had died allegedly by suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling fan in his official residence within the vicinity of the hospital. The purported suicide note, sent by him to the Sindh police chief and several media personnel, states that he was taking this extreme steps under immense mental pressure caused by his certain colleagues at the hospital and some employees. The note contained names of several doctors and employees. A voice message attributed to him was also received by the officials concerned and media personnel.
The cause of his immense mental stress, as mentioned in the note, was allegation of sexual harassment levelled by a male nurse, Manthar Bheel. A committee comprising senior doctors had conducted an inquiry into the matter and found the allegation baseless. However, as the suicide note claimed, certain doctors kept instigating Bheel to pursue his case.
As soon as the purported suicide note was posted on social media platforms the same day, medical professionals started holding protests in Mithi. They boycotted their duties to join in the protest. The unrest spread in more cities of Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Larkana and other districts for a third consecutive day, Monday.
The protesters demand action against all those named in the deceased doctor’s note and voice message. They also called for a fair and transparent inquiry into the whole episode.
The Sindh government placed three of the doctors under suspension and instituted an inquiry. The provincial police also set up a high-level inquiry committee.
Members of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Tharparkar district, demanded strict action against those found responsible for the circumstances leading to the doctor’s suicide.
PMA Tharparkar President Dr Hafeez Dal said his death had deeply shocked the entire medical community of Sindh.
Three doctors suspended
Three senior doctors of the Mithi Civil Hospital have been suspended to face the inquiry into Dr Abdul Karim Sheikh’s alleged suicide, according to an official statement issued by the Services, General Administration & Coordination Department on Monday.
Medical Superintendent Dr Haresh Jagani, Additional Medical Superintendent Dr Mohan Lal Khatri and Chief Medical Officer Dr Abdul Malik Nohri have been suspended with immediate effect under the Sindh Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, it said.
Earlier, the health department had suspended four lower-grade employees — Manthar Bheel, Sardar Bheel, Rajab Kunbhar and (store in-charge) Barkat Hingorjo — whose names were mention in the deceased doctor’s messages.
Police inquiry
Mirpurkhas DIG has also constituted a committee to hold an impartial inquiry into the incident.
According to an official order issued by DIG retired Capt Faisal Abdullah Chachar, the committee is headed by Mirpurkhas SSP Syed Fida Hussain Shah. Other members of the committee are Tharparkar SSP Shoaib Memon, Mithi DSP Majid Qaimkhani, Digri DSP Khuda Bux Thebo and Inspector Legal Sahib Khan Dars.
It will submit its report within the next 10 days.
Activists of various political, nationalist and social welfare organisations have been taking part in the protests being held in Tharparkar, Larkana and other districts.
The participants in the Mithi protest also belonged to the Sindh United Party (SUP) whose activists raised slogans for a transparent probe and punishment to the culprits. They were led by Shahid Baloch, Vijay Sagar, Saindad Hingorjo, Sangtarash Sehrai, Syed Shujja Shah and Jabbar Sahar.
The protesters marched through the streets of Mithi and staged a sit-in at Kashmir Chowk
Several political leaders, includig MNA Dr Mahesh Malani, MPA Arbab Lutfullah, Dr Ghulam Haider Samejo, Senator Poonjo Mal Bheel, Surender Valasai, MPA Arbab Lutfullah and minority MPA Dr Khatuo Mal Jeevan have condemned the incident and called for strict action against those responsible for the doctor’s suicide.
The Tharparkar Bar Association also condemned the incident.
Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2026