Tribunal dismisses appeal of MTI ex-director

ABBOTTABAD: The MTI Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by former hospital director of the Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH) Abbottabad with the observation that the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) cannot take disciplinary action against the appellant based on the findings of a fact-finding committee constituted in July 2024.

Barrister Syed Ahmad Khan and Sajjad Afzal Khan Advocate appeared for the appellant while Barrister Ibrahim Khan Afridi represented the respondent.The short judgment was delivered by Chairman of MTI Tribunal Justice (R) Abdul Shakoor in the case of Dr Athar Lodhi versus MTI-ATH. It said that the appellant had the constitutional right to a fair and impartial inquiry as guaranteed under Articles 4, 5, and 10A of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The verdict said that the MTI Abbottabad Efficiency and Discipline (Amendment) Regulation 2023 also mandated that the appellant be provided with a statement of allegations and an opportunity to prove their innocence.

It said the appellant be furnished a statement of allegations. The court further stated that any disciplinary action against the appellant must be preceded by an unbiased inquiry headed by an officer one step above the appellant’s rank (BPS-21).According to the verdict, the appellant should receive a fair chance to defend himself, upholding the principles of natural justice.