Member AIMC board beats up senior medic

LAHORE - A senior member of the Board of Management (BoM) of Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC)/Jinnah Hospital attacked a professor of medicine with his walking stick on Saturday. The violent and unpleasant incident took place right in the office of the principal shortly after the two exchanged harsh words over a minor issue. Director Finance (DF) of the College/Hospital Dr Tanvir Baig and Staff Officer of the Principal Anwar ul Hassan were also present on the occasion when incident took place. On hearing noise, the employees deputed outside the office also rushed to the 'crime scene. Both the doctors - Senior Member BoM Dr Rafi Uddin and Professor of Medicine Dr Zafar Chaudhry - had come to the office of Principal AIMC Prof Javed Akram to discuss an inquiry initiated by another senior doctor against a former assistant warden of the hostels, Dr Ubaid-ur-Rehman. Prof Dr Zafar Chaudhry was the complainant while the senior member of the BoM was supporting the accused doctor, whom he called as his grandson. Prof Dr Zafar Ali Chaudhry, Head of the Surgery Department, chaired the inquiry committee constituted by Principal Prof Dr Javed Akram to investigate the mater. The inquiry was in progress when Dr Rafi Uddin visited the office and informed him that Dr Ubaid-ur-Rehman was his grandson and the allegations levelled against him by Dr Zafar Chaudhry were false. He also alleged that the inquiry officer, Prof Zafar Ali Chaudhry, was deliberately persecuting his grandson in the corruption matters. Dr Zafar Chaudhry, holding the office of Chief Warden Boys and Internees Hostels as well, was present at the office when Rafi raised his objections over the inquiry team. The sources said Prof Dr Zafar Chaudhry, in his application had alleged that Dr Ubaid-ur-Rehman was involved in financial irregularities and had also misbehaved with the mess servants. Besides, he also levelled some other serious allegations against the former assistant warden including theft charges. Dr Rafi challenged Dr Zafar and claimed that allegation were of his (Zafar) own fabrication. While discussing the issue, he lost his temper and tried to hit Zafar with his walking stick. As he was about to strike his 'rival, the director finance intervened and overpowered the attacker to rescue the senior doctor who later termed it an unbelievable incident by a doctor on a teaching cadre doctor. Dr Rafi who used most abusive language, tried to attack his rival thrice with his stick despite interference of the principal and some other staff members. They, however, took him to the side room for avoiding the clash. Dr Zafar, shell-shocked by the sudden outburst remained unmoved on his chair. The principal and director finance tried their best for reconciliation between the two senior doctors but to no avail.