Punjab law minister faces calls for resignation after audio leak

LAHORE: A number of doctors are protesting in different government-run hospitals in Punjab after an alleged audio leak revealed that Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat forced Medical Superintendent of Rawalpind’s Benazir Bhutto Hospital to transfer a lady doctor, ARY News reported.

According to details, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat was allegedly caught on tape ordering Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Hospital’s MS Doctor Tariq Niazi to transfer Dr Areeba Abbasi in skin department.

The minister can be heard ordering MS Tariq Niazi to transfer Areeba Abbasi, daughter of PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi, to skin department of the hospital. As Dr Tariq Niazi refuses to obey, Basharat can be heard threatening him with dismissal from his post.

Dr Tariq Niazi too has confirmed that the minister threatened him on phone.

Young doctors Association (YDA) started protests and gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the provincial government to remove Raja Basharat.

Soon after the audio was leaked, YDA held an emergency meeting at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Hospital and threatened to hold protest demonstrations if the law minister was not removed from his post within 72 hours. They also asked the minister to seek apology from the MS.

Dr Areeba Abbasi has resigned from her post after the audio leak.

PM Imran takes notice

Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken notice of the incident and has ordered Federal Minister for Health Aamer Mehmood Kiani to initiate inquiry.

Aamer Kiani told the PM that he has ordered an inquiry and has assured the hospital’s MS that the inquiry will be transparent.