Delay in notification for separation of PIMS from medical university sparks unrest

Islamabad: Despite the lapse of over two months since the Bill for separation of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) was passed, the notification for inclusion for the same in Schedule 3 has yet to be issued, thereby creating unrest and disappointment among employees.

This observation was made during an emergency meeting convened Thursday on the call of the Employees Movement for Restoration of PIMS. The meeting, which was held in the conference room of the Cardiology Centre, was addressed by chairman Sharif Khattak and Dr. Asfandyar Khan.

The participants recollected the struggle that led to separation of PIMS from SZABMU, and vowed not to allow any hurdles in way of its smooth execution. They urged the government to immediately issue the notification for separation of the hospital from the medical university and to include the same in Scheule 3.

They also demanded restoration of Quaid-e-Azam Post-Graduate Medical College, thereby addressing the concerns of the students and faculty alike. The employees demanded immediate appointment of a new executive director at PIMS, and filling of all vacant posts in the hospital for the sake of improved patient care. “We are not against SZABMU but will not allow anyone to run the university from the budget allocated for PIMS,” Dr. Asfandyar clarified. The employees agreed that a general body meeting would be convened to decide the future course of action, should the notification be delayed beyond a week.