PESHAWAR: A dispute has emerged between former Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) plastic surgeon Professor Dr Muhammad Asif Shah and the hospital administration over his dismissal from service, with both sides offering conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Dr Asif Shah, in a video shared on social media, claimed that he had been removed from his position without a valid reason. He questioned the decision and presented his side of the matter in the video.
The HMC administration, however, rejected his claims and said the doctor was dismissed over prolonged absence from official duty and other regulatory issues.
According to the hospital administration, Dr Asif Shah had initially applied for three months’ leave, which was approved. However, it said he did not resume his official duties after the leave period expired and remained absent from work.
The administration further alleged that during his absence from government duty, Dr Asif Shah continued seeing patients at a private clinic and that promotional videos related to the practice were shared on social media.
HMC said the doctor was repeatedly directed through official correspondence to return to duty. His case was also placed before the hospital’s Board of Governors, where he was given an opportunity to present his position and was instructed to resume his official duties.
The administration claimed that Dr Asif Shah acknowledged before the Board of Governors that he had visited his private clinic during the period in question. Following this, his period of absence was adjusted as leave without pay, it said.
According to HMC, Dr Asif Shah was also summoned twice for personal hearings but did not appear.
The hospital administration maintained that action was taken under the relevant rules and regulations over his continued absence and alleged negligence of duties, eventually resulting in his dismissal from service.
HMC said all proceedings related to the dismissal are part of the official record and stressed that compliance with government rules and regulations is mandatory for all employees, including doctors.
