PIMS begins probe into controversial Maulana Fazl video

Dr Khawaja Waseem Ahmed released video of JUI-F leader undergoing medical treatment on social media

The administration at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has initiated proceedings to punish one of its staff doctors for recording and uploading an objectionable video of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on social media last month, officials said.

An assurance to that effect was given to his son, Asjad Mehmood, by the hospital administration. Mehmood had lodged a formal complaint against Dr Khawaja Waseem Ahmed following the video's release. Disciplinary action against the doctor may result in his dismissal.

On April 28, the doctor had secretly recorded the JUI-F chief on video when he was undergoing a medical check-up for abdominal issues, the complainant had alleged in his letter to the PIMS administration.

“There were only four persons present in the ward,” the complainant said before the committee while his statement was being recorded. “There was no other person present in the ward room, apart from my father, myself, a lady health worker who was attending to the patient and Dr Ahmed,” Mehmood revealed. "It left no room for doubt about the doctors guilt," he added.

Maulana Fazl was admitted to the institute on April 28 for stomach-related issues and discharged the same afternoon after medical treatment.

After a few hours, a video was uploaded on social media by an anonymous person displaying the JUI-F leader being treated by a lady health worker in the ward room.



Senior members of the administration resolved to initiate disciplinary action against the accused after an inquiry committee found him guilty of professional misconduct.

Few of the doctor’s colleagues endeavoured to persuade Mehmood for a pardon but he flatly refused such requests.

Earlier, the doctor himself apologised to Mehmood but in vain. Mehmood had received at least seven text messages from Dr Ahmed who has been suspended by hospital authorities for uploading the video on the social media.

Asjad Mehmood lodged a formal complaint protesting against the doctor’s misconduct who was assigned to supervise the medical treatment. Before ordering an inquiry, PIMS management had also tendered an unconditional apology to the JUI-F chief, his family and followers.