Lahore High Court stays removal of negligence-accused doctors in Huma Akram’s death

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court (LHC) has stayed the removal of 19 doctors, who are accused of negligence in the medical treatment of late Huma Akram, the wife of former test cricketer Waseem Akram.

Huma had died on October 25 while on an air ambulance carrying her from Lahore to Singapore, which stopped in Chennai (India) to refuel. Her disease, which was only diagnosed fully in the autopsy, was an extremely rare one.

The court also suspended an order issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to issue notices to respondents for taking action against the doctors in violation of a restraining order issued by the court, the Daily Times reports.

LHC Judge Mian Saqib Nisar directed the secretary and the PMDC president to file their replies by January 13 along with affidavits detailing all action taken so taken against the petitioners (accused doctors).

The judge issued these directions on a petition, filed by Dr Kamran Cheema and 18 others, challenging their suspension.

On December 22, 2009, the judge had stayed the suspension of these doctors and restrained the authorities from taking any action against them until the verdict of the petition filed by them.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the petitioners’ counsel informed the court that the respondents removed the petitioners from service, in spite of the restraining order, which amounted to contempt of court. (ANI)