manner in which armed men fled the scene in the presence of security staff. We want immediate action against those responsible for this serious lapse,” they stated.
The protestors said doctors are being attacked everywhere in Pakistan. “It is the government’s foremost duty to protect the life and property of its citizens. We want foolproof security in all hospitals,” they demanded.
Earlier on, the minister of state for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Usman Ibrahim took the PIMS administration to task for its failure to strengthen the surveillance of the hospital. He directed the vice chancellor of PIMS Dr. Javed Akram to fix responsibility for the security lapse and to proceed against those responsible, under the law. He also demanded a weekly update on the measures being taken to enhance the security of the hospital premises.
Chairing a meeting convened in the wake of the attack on Dr. Shahid, the CADD minister expressed dissatisfaction on the security arrangements in place at PIMS despite his repeated instructions to beef up the same after the Army Public School incident. He reminded PIMS authorities of the January 15, 2015 meeting wherein he had given express directions for installation of CCTV cameras at all the entry and exit points of the hospital.
The meeting was also attended by Khalid Hanif, secretary CADD, and other senior officers of the Ministry and PIMS. The secretary CADD passed on instructions for round-the-clock patrolling service around the inner and peripheral areas of PIMS; installation of CCTV cameras on all the entry and exit gates of the hospital; and rectification of breaches in its peripheral wall.
Dr. Akram typically stated that the security of PIMS is being beefed up in consultation with the civil and military authorities. “The Institute is in the process of hiring additional security guards and installing CCTV cameras to fill the gaps. Furthermore, patrolling of the compound of PIMS has also been initiated after the tragic shooting,” he said.
Dr. Zahid Larik, the director of MCH has been appointed as the chief security officer of PIMS and is actively engaging with the law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of the premises, Dr. Akram added.
The VC informed Usman about the medical condition of Dr. Shahid. “All efforts were made to save his life. However, on the request of his family, he was shifted to CMH,” he apprised. Usman advised the VC to provide all possible facilitation to the family of Prof. Shahid Nawaz Malik, and assistance to the law enforcement agencies so that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are apprehended.