Police on notice over 'assault' on student by hospital staff

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Saturday summoned records from relevant authorities while hearing a petition challenging the appointment of Syed Mustafa Hassan as the administrator of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).

The petitioner's counsel argued that Hassan, originally appointed as an assistant engineer (Grade 11) based on a mechanical diploma, was unlawfully promoted to Grade 18 without due process. The lawyer contended that Hassan's initial appointment lacked transparency as no advertisement was published, and no proper selection procedure was followed.

Hassan's primary responsibilities reportedly included maintenance of air conditioners and lifts, yet he was allegedly favoured with rapid promotions — first to Grade 16 and later to Grade 18 — before being appointed as NICVD administrator.

After hearing the petition, the SHC issued notices to relevant authorities directing them to furnish records of the appointment.

Meanwhile, the additional and sessions judge for District South has issued notices to police officials on a petition filed by a female student alleging assault at the cardio hospital.

The petitioner, Atiya Tariq, claimed in her plea that she was assaulted by hospital staff after she attempted to record an incident in which her mother was denied treatment. According to the petitioner, a security guard verbally abused her, after which four men and a woman forcibly confined her to a room, physically assaulted her, and stole Rs50,000 from her purse. The petitioner further stated that she could identify the perpetrators but that police refused to register an FIR.