SWABI: A union council nazim, who was booked for smashing windowpanes of Bacha Khan Hospital Complex Shahmansoor, was garlanded and warmly welcomed by the district nazim and political leaders when he appeared at the Swabi Judicial Complex for hearing into the case here on Friday.

The court granted him bail before arrest.

Hashmat Khan, the Panjpir union council nazim, along with some other people had smashed windowpanes of the hospital over the alleged negligence of doctors and non-availability of ambulance when a seriously injured patient was brought to the emergency.

FIR was registered against him at the city police station by medical superintendent.

MPA Babar Salim and Mohammad Shiraz Khan, the district nazim, Swabi Tehsil Nazim Ameer Rehman and PML-N, PTI and Swabi Qaumi Mahaz leaders and members of the district council were present at the judicial complex to welcome their colleague.

On the occasion, Hashmat Khan warned the doctors to perform their duty with determination while providing services to the ailing community. “We are against all those who fail to deliver,” he said.

The next hearing of the case would be held on Tuesday.

However, sources in the hospital said the doctors and paramedical staff had declared that no one would be allowed to interfere in the hospital’s affairs. They said instead of coercing tactics the politicians and lawmakers should help them ensure effective healthcare delivery to patients.

CALL FOR FIGHT AGAINST SOCIAL EVILS: Political leaders on Friday demanded exemplary punishment to those accused of assaulting minor girls and boys in the district.

Talking to Dawn, they said such inhuman incidents had created terror, particularly among the affected families.

A six-year-old girl and a boy of the same age were assaulted in Yar Hussain and Rahatabad areas. A case of alleged molestation of a 13-year-old boy was reported from Zaida city.

The politicians said the state should not be held responsible for all ills and that society should also play its role in preventing such incidents. MPA Babar Salim observed that unbridled use of mobile phones and easy access to prohibited materials on internet was putting negative impact on youth. He added lack of Islamic education was another reason, and demanded exemplary punishment for those who victimised the innocents.

ANP’s Salim Khan said the accused in such cases should be expelled from the area and slapped with heavy fines.

Columnist Mohammad Jamil Advocate said it was compulsory for families to educate their children about social evils and keep them under watch so they might not fall into wrong hands.

“Everyone in the society should play role in identifying those who disturb the social fabric.

Jehanzeb Khan, former district nazim, said the society should act collectively against the social evils. Human right activist Liaqat Yousafzai said educational institutions should ensure students did not indulge in social evils.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2018