ACE approaches police for case against doctors, other officials

LAHORE: Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has approached police to register an FIR against all the doctors and health officials of Services Hospital who hindered in arresting nominated accused doctors and others on Monday night, The News has learnt.

A team of ACE, Lahore Region, went Services Hospital, Lahore on Monday night to arrest over 15 nominated accused persons, including YDA Senior Vice-President Dr Atif Majeed Ch, former MS Services Hospital Dr Umar Farooq Baloch, former President YDA Dr Hamid Butt, Dr Farhan Shahi, Dr Basharat Gil and other health officials, contractors and paramedics. 

Sources told this correspondent here Tuesday that all the accused persons had been booked by the provincial watchdog of corruption under different charges. They said a judicial action against doctors and others was approved by ACE director general, being a competent authority, a few days back. 

Talking to The News on Tuesday, Deputy Director Investigation (DDI) ACE, Lahore Region, Dr Farhan Zahid said they had lodged a complaint with the Shadman Police for registration of an FIR against all those who what he termed interferred into the state affairs and hindered in arresting the accused on Monday night at Services Hospital. 

“We will arrest all of them named in the FIR. We will discharge our duty as per the law of the land, he said and added that he had confirmed from all the members of the raiding party that they didn’t hurt or manhandle any doctor”. 

To a question, the DDI said the action was taken after the approval of the competent authority. To another question, Dr Farhan said he had no personal vendetta against any accused doctor or other health official mentioned in the FIR. 

“We have registered the FIR after a thorough probe in August last year under different charges, including malpractices in Local Purchase of Services Hospital, worth millions of rupees, misuse of authority and other issues relating to procurement”, he said, adding, office-bearers of Young Doctors Association (YDA) were nominated in the same FIR for running a canteen for commercial purposes without having any legal authority. 

When contacted, SHO Shadman Inspector Ibrar Shah confirmed this correspondent of receiving an application of ACE officials seeking registration of an FIR against the accused persons for interferring into state business.

“We have forwarded the complaint to our legal department for their opinion and would decide the matter as per their advice”, the SHO maintained. We are still waiting for the response from our legal department, Ibrar said.