Abusing parking space? Doctor allegedly thrashes guard

Paramedical staff, ward boys, security guards go on strike after incident

RAWALPINDI: Patients at the at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital suffered as paramedical staff, ward boys, and security guards went on strike on Thursday to protest against a senior doctor allegedly thrashed one of the guards for not allowing a guest to park his car in the doctors’ parking.

Furthermore, the protesters chanted slogans against DHQ Emergency Director Dr Khalid Janjua and the hospital administration.

Earlier, security guard Muhammad Arshad was performing his duty at the car park outside the Outpatient Department, when some relatives of Dr Janjua arrived in a car and parked the vehicle in the doctors’ parking area.

The security guard requested the driver to park the car elsewhere since the section was reserved for doctors only.

However, this annoyed the driver who called Dr Janjua to deal with the security guard.

On his arrival, Dr Janjua began abusing the guard and allegedly thrashed him as well.

The relatives of the doctor also began physically assaulting the guard.

The incident sparked unrest among the paramedics and other security guards who left their duties in protest against the behaviour of the senior official.

Medical Superintendent Khalid Randhawa, when contacted, confirmed the incident. However, he added that the matter had been resolved in a meeting between the guards and Janjua.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2017.