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Lahore: The Punjab Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department has ordered an inquiry against five medical superintendents over the issuance of handwritten Medico-Legal Certificates (MLCs) and Post-Mortem Reports (PMRs), despite mandatory procedures requiring the documents to be generated through a computerized system. The action follows serious concerns raised by a Lahore High Court Division Bench regarding the continued issuance of handwritten medico-legal documents at several teaching hospitals across Punjab. According to an official departmental order issued on August 2, 2026, a meeting was held at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on July 8 to examine the issue. The meeting reviewed records showing that several hospitals had issued handwritten MLCs and PMRs during the preceding months in violation of established standard operating procedures. The hospitals identified in the departmental record include Nishtar Hospital Multan, Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot, Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital Sargodha, Services Hospital Lahore and Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan. The highest number of handwritten MLCs was reported at Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot, where 1,243 such certificates were issued, along with 43 handwritten PMRs. Nishtar Hospital Multan reportedly issued 816 handwritten MLCs and 182 handwritten PMRs. Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital Sargodha recorded 735 handwritten MLCs and 48 PMRs, while Services Hospital Lahore issued 680 handwritten MLCs. At Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan, the record showed 768 handwritten MLCs and 10 handwritten PMRs. The department said the available record provided sufficient grounds for proceedings against the concerned officers under Section 3 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006. The allegations relate to alleged misconduct and inefficiency in the discharge of official responsibilities. Among the officers facing inquiry is Dr Rao Amjad Ali Khan, former Medical Superintendent of Nishtar Hospital Multan. The issue has also raised questions about the responsibility of officials and staff working in forensic and medico-legal departments. Questions have emerged over how handwritten reports continued to be issued despite the availability of a mandatory computerized system. Computerization of MLCs and PMRs was introduced to improve transparency, maintain reliable records and reduce the possibility of alteration or manipulation of sensitive medico-legal documents. Such reports can play an important role in criminal investigations and court proceedings. The inquiry is expected to establish why the prescribed digital system was bypassed, identify officials responsible for the violations and determine whether disciplinary action is warranted. The department will also examine the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the handwritten reports and the role of the relevant hospital administrations.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. The party has described the July 27 polls as unacceptable and demanded a judicial inquiry into the violence reported in the region. PTI leaders also called for the cancellation of the remaining two phases of the elections. They demanded fresh elections across AJK in a single phase under an independent and impartial election commission. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan appeared alongside former AJK prime minister Sardar Qayyum Niazi. The leaders strongly criticised the violence reported in Rawalakot, Mirpur and other areas. Multiple reports of deaths and injuries have emerged since Monday. Videos showing unrest have also circulated on social media, although the reported casualties could not be independently verified. Both security agencies and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have reported casualties during clashes. Niazi said Kashmiris were facing what he described as unprecedented oppression. He said the situation was particularly concerning because Kashmiris had historically supported the cause of accession to Pakistan. He claimed protesters had attempted to resolve their grievances through negotiations. According to him, the situation deteriorated after their demands were not addressed. Niazi maintained that the protesters were peaceful. He questioned the use of force against them and urged authorities to avoid further escalation. He also criticised the decision to conduct the AJK elections in three phases. Niazi argued that the region has a relatively small population and questioned why the elections could not have been held on a single day. He said the ongoing violence was damaging Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue. According to him, AJK is considered an important base for the wider Kashmir cause. Niazi warned that the unrest could send a negative message internationally. He said Pakistan had previously highlighted alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir at international forums. He argued that developments in AJK could make it difficult for Pakistan to effectively present its position on Kashmir before the international community. The former AJK prime minister also rejected the portrayal of protesters as terrorists. He said the same people had previously been engaging with authorities through negotiations. Niazi called for dialogue and urged the government to avoid further use of force. He proposed the establishment of a national government in AJK until conditions returned to normal. He said free and transparent elections should then be held across the region, with PTI participating in the process. Gohar also strongly criticised the July 27 elections. He alleged that the polls had failed to reflect the will of the people. The PTI chairman said using force to silence protesters could not resolve political and public grievances. He argued that listening to citizens was a fundamental part of democracy. Gohar criticised both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for turning the election dispute into a political contest. He said political parties should focus on the violence and reported casualties rather than exchanging allegations over electoral gains and losses. The PTI leader also pointed to the low voter turnout. He claimed that the limited participation represented public dissatisfaction with the existing political system. Gohar said the Kashmir issue was extremely sensitive and should not be used for political interests. He urged all stakeholders to act responsibly and resolve the crisis through dialogue. PTI has now formally demanded a judicial investigation into the reported violence. The party also wants the remaining election phases, scheduled for August 2 and August 10, cancelled. The party has further called for the resignation of the AJK government and the formation of a national government to manage the situation. PTI wants fresh elections to be held across AJK in a single phase. It has called for the process to be conducted under the supervision of an independent and impartial election commission. The party says dialogue should be prioritised to address public grievances and restore normalcy before a fresh electoral process begins.