HYDERABAD: The Liaquat University Hospital (LUH) on Monday formed a committee of senior doctors for an inquiry after Abdul Sattar Jatoi, a former director whose reappointment has been stayed by the Sindh High Court, took away bundles of files from several sections of the hospital.

The files are believed to be related to the alleged wrongdoings as well as undue favours enjoyed by him during his two decades-long service period which have been mentioned in several judicial orders issued in the recent past. The inquiry team has been formed by LUH Medical Superintendent Dr Kashif Memon after videos showing Mr Jatoi taking away the hospital’s documents from different sections on October 4 went viral on the social media on Monday.

According to some LUH employees, bundles of files were lifted from the records and taken away by Mr Jatoi on October 3 and 4. It was also on October 3 that a division bench of Sindh High Court’s Hyderabad circuit suspended chief secretary’s Sept 20 notification reappointing him as LUH director. The matter has been fixed for further hearing by the bench on October 8 (today).

The alleged lifting of record files has occurred a few days after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), in compliance of SHC’s August 22 directive, initiated an inquiry against Mr Jatoi. The directive was issued on a petition filed against him by Jan Mohammad Lakho. NAB has already sought relevant record from the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) vice chancellor and been waiting for a response.

MS Dr Kashif had first formed a different committee on Saturday which was headed by Assistant Medical Superinten­dents (general/store) Dr Poonam Jatoi (chairman) and Dr Qamaruddin Memon along with Resident Medical Officer (janitorial) Dr Mohammad Asif Memon. But on Monday, he formed a new committee headed by a BS-20 officer, Dr Muneer Ahmed Shaikh, chief superintendent medical officer. Another chief superintendent medical officer Dr Zahiruddin Memon and AMS Dr Mohammad Ali Khan are the other members of the committee.

According to MS Dr Kashif, the committee would submit its report within 24 hours.

“The record is taken away from three different sections of budget, store and local purchase department. I have asked committee members to hold meeting on Tuesday,” he said.

The MS has formed the inquiry committee following submission of notes from different sections.

One note, jointly signed by heads of the budget and accounts sections, stated that the LUH director came to the budget section at about 6pm on October 3 and asked the staff to hand over record of FY2022-23 and FY2023-24. The director took way all the required files as well as some other files by his private vehicle, according to the note.

Another note dated October 4 was submitted to the MS by storekeeper of the local purchase section. It mentioned that on Oct 4, director administration A. Sattar Jatoi visited LP section in his absence and took away several bundles of official record (original).

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2024