KOHAT: The doctors here on Monday suspended emergency services at KDA Hospital and staged a rally to protest the killing of a woman doctor after allegedly an altercation with the husband of a patient.
Unidentified armed men shot dead Dr Mehwish Hasnain near the District Headquarters Hospital, Kohat, the previous day.This killing triggered protest by doctors who suspended services at the hospital and took out a rally to demand justice.
Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Ali Shah said that Dr Mehwish had an altercation with the husband of a female patient in the emergency ward.The man, identified as Saif Ali, was reportedly insisting that his wife be examined immediately.
The MS said the incident took place around Iftar time, adding that Dr Mehwish had been offering prayers after breaking her fast.According to hospital and police officials, the incident occurred following an alleged altercation at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.
During the argument, the doctor allegedly handed the man over to police personnel deployed at the hospital. However, after the dispute, the suspect left the hospital with his wife.About an hour later, unidentified armed men opened fire on Dr Mehwish near the hospital premises, killing her on the spot, officials said The doctors went on a strike at the hospital on Monday to register protest at the killing.
Kohat Division Commissioner Syed Moatasim Billah Shah visited the hospital and promised that an impartial investigation would be conducted into the incident.According to an official statement, he held detailed talks with doctors, listened to their concerns and assured them of full cooperation and a transparent and impartial investigation into the murder. After the commissioner’s intervention, doctors agreed to resume emergency duties and medical services were restored.
The district administration said it was closely monitoring the situation to prevent further inconvenience to the public.The commissioner said those involved in the murder would be arrested and brought to justice, and appealed to the public to avoid spreading rumours.
Meanwhile, doctors, hospital staff and citizens attended the funeral prayers of Dr Mehwish, who was shot dead a day earlier in Kohat.The deceased is survived by four sons, the eldest aged 12. Her husband, Hasnain, is associated with the property business.
A relative of the deceased’s husband, Muhammad Asad, told Geo News that the suspect had earlier argued with Dr Mehwish in the emergency ward and later left the hospital. He said unknown assailants subsequently targeted her after duty hours.
District Police Officer Shehbaz Elahi said police were conducting raids to arrest the suspect and other persons involved. He added that 15 suspects had been taken into custody during a search operation. The suspect’s residence was said to be located near Bypass Road, close to the Ghamkol Afghan Refugee Camp, and initial information suggested he appeared to be an Afghan national.
Meanwhile, Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar expressed profound grief and shock over the killing of Dr Mehwish Husnain. A condolence meeting was held at KMU where Fateha was offered for the departed soul.
During the meeting, it was stated that the KMU faculty was deeply shocked and grieved by this incident.The KMU condemned this cowardly act, stating that such incidents created fear and insecurity among medical professionals who were already serving under challenging conditions.The meeting urged the government and law-enforcement agencies to apprehend those involved in this crime and ensure exemplary punishment to the accused.
