Punjab, Korean delegation agree to boost livestock and agriculture cooperation

KARACHI: The Young Doctors Association, YDA, is often seen by the public as violent, irresponsible doctors who take to the streets. But rarely does anyone see the other side of the coin. Behind the protests is a group of young doctors — the young blood of our healthcare system — fighting for their basic rights and for better patient care. Like whistleblowers in every society, they are rarely welcomed when they speak the truth. The Young Doctors Association is no exception. To the common man, YDA means protests, strikes, and chaos in hospitals. What often goes unnoticed is the reason behind it. These are young doctors, the backbone of emergency wards in Sindh, who are demanding dignity, security, and resources. In this context, Chairman of the Young Doctors Association Sindh Chapter, Dr. Farrukh Rauf paints a realistic picture of a system buckling under patient load, with too few specialists and even fewer resources to go around. From JPMC Member To Sindh Chairman YDA was formed in 2013 following an incident in which a female doctor was injured by relatives of a patient who had died. Since then, Dr. Farrukh Rauf has been associated with Young Doctors Association. He started as a member, was later elected General Secretary and then President of the JPMC unit, served as Senior Vice President of YDA Sindh, and is now serving as Chairman of the Sindh chapter. Dr. Farrukh Rauf, Chairman YDA Sindh, is a consultant orthopedic surgeon at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. He is currently the only surgeon at JPMC who performs orthopedic tumor and cancer surgeries — a super-specialty that only 4 to 5 surgeons practice across Karachi. Surgeons with his expertise in the private sector often draw salaries of over Rs. 20 lakh, but he continues to serve at a public institution out of commitment to suffering humanity. Dr. Rauf has been associated with JPMC for the last 17 years, where he also completed his post-graduation. He serves as General Secretary of the Pakistan Orthopedic Association and is an internationally certified trainer/instructor for HOPE – Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies — a certification he received from Nepal. There are only 4 to 5 such certified trainers in all of Sindh. “Condition Is Still Very Critical” Dr. Farrukh Rauf said that despite the Sindh government’s interest in the healthcare sector, the condition is still very critical, which is truly reflected in the overcrowded corridors of JPMC, Lyari and Civil Hospitals, where patients lie on floors and doctors work 36-hour shifts. On the issue of shortages at Civil, JPMC, and NICVD, Dr. Farrukh offers a mixed assessment. “There is no shortage of life-saving drugs,” he said. “Yes, ICU facility is very limited owing to patient burden. Seeing the overflow of patients, more equipment is needed.” He acknowledged the Sindh government’s efforts but stressed the scale of the problem. “Though the Minister of Health, Dr. Azra Pechuho, is addressing the concerns, however, there is a huge gap and lack of equipment for patients.” At tertiary hospitals like JPMC and Civil, where critical cases from across Sindh land every day, the mismatch between patient inflow and available ICU beds and machines remains a key pressure point for young doctors on duty. He traced the problem back to medical education itself. “The number of medical colleges has increased manifold in the last 10 years, but the standard of education has deteriorated. There is a dearth of quality doctors.” YDA’s Key Milestones According to Dr. Farrukh Rauf, Chairman YDA Sindh, the situation in government hospitals across Sindh, especially in Karachi, has improved only because of constant struggle. “Owing to YDA’s struggle and efforts, salaries of young and mid-career doctors were revised. Previously, they were lower than in all other provinces,” he said. He added that security was one of the biggest issues YDA flagged early on. “Doctors were facing serious security issues. There was no health risk allowance, which is being introduced now owing to the YDA movement.” The gains, he notes, came after years of protests at JPMC, Civil Hospital Karachi, and other tertiary centers where patient load far exceeds available staff and basic facilities. YDA Beyond Protests And Karachi The Young Doctors Association, once seen as a Karachi-centric pressure group, now claims a presence across the province. “I had established YDA units in all districts of Sindh including Umerkot, Thar, Ghotki. Now almost in twenty districts YDA is active for the rights of doctors and patients,” Dr. Farrukh said. In Karachi, the association is active in Civil, Lyari, JPMC and NICH. “We seek and welcome active participation from other government hospitals,” he added. The work has expanded beyond protests. YDA runs a welfare committee that coordinated flood relief last year, and an academic committee that offers career counseling, FCPS guidance, and surgical workshops. “We have constituted a welfare committee which offers coordinated help on disasters like floods last year. There is an academic committee which offers career counseling, how to give high-level exams, and workshops on surgical procedures,” he said. On training, Dr. Farrukh said YDA is pushing for reforms in the PGT system. “We are trying to get PGT seats equal in number to the number of graduates.” Violence And Security Gaps For Dr. Farrukh Rauf, the frustration in wards often boils over into violence against doctors. But he says the anger has a root cause. “Most of the people get provocative owing to the absence of ICU or urgent facility for their patient,” he said. “It is necessary to expand ICUs and facilities to handle the high influx of patients which overburdens doctors.” He was blunt about administrative failures too. “There are security lapses also on the part of the administration.” The Way Forward Dr. Farrukh argues the solution is not in Karachi’s tertiary hospitals alone, but in strengthening the entire pyramid. “We need a proper primary healthcare network across the province, like in developed countries,” he said. “Patients who can be treated at the UC or Tehsil level should not be coming to

A shocking alleged organ trafficking case has emerged from Pattoki, where a man claims he was lured by a close friend with the promise of a job, only to wake up without one of his kidneys. Police have registered a case and launched a search for the suspect as the investigation continues. According to police, the victim, identified as Rehmat, a resident of Pattoki, was allegedly approached by his friend Raza on June 26 with an offer of employment. Trusting the promise of work, Rehmat reportedly accompanied Raza, unaware of what police say happened next. Investigators allege that the suspect took Rehmat to Rawalpindi, where he was given a drink believed to have been laced with intoxicating substances. Police say the victim lost consciousness after consuming the beverage. When he regained consciousness, he allegedly discovered that one of his kidneys had been surgically removed. Authorities further allege that the kidney was illegally sold as part of an organ trafficking operation. However, police have not yet released details regarding where the procedure was carried out or whether additional suspects were involved. Investigators are examining all possible links to determine if the case is connected to a larger criminal network. According to police records, a kidnapping case regarding Rehmat’s disappearance had already been registered on July 12 after his brother-in-law filed a complaint. The victim later returned home on his own and narrated the alleged incident to his family, prompting investigators to expand the scope of the inquiry. Police have confirmed that the primary suspect, Raza, remains at large. Search operations are underway to locate and arrest him. Authorities are also collecting medical evidence and recording witness statements to verify the victim’s claims and strengthen the investigation. Illegal organ trafficking remains a serious criminal offense in Pakistan and poses significant risks to victims, many of whom are targeted through deception, financial desperation, or false promises of employment. Law enforcement agencies continue to urge the public to remain cautious of suspicious job offers and to immediately report any unusual activities to the authorities. As the investigation progresses, police say further legal action will depend on the evidence gathered. Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators to complete their work. More details are expected to emerge as the case develops and authorities continue their efforts to apprehend the suspect.

  Justice Babar Sattar, who has been transferred to the Peshawar High Court, has vacated his official government residence in Islamabad following a notice issued by the registrar of the Islamabad High Court. According to sources, Justice Babar Sattar vacated the government residence two days ago after returning from his judicial holidays. The development came after the relevant authorities formally cancelled the allotment of the residence and directed him to vacate the property within the specified period. The Estate Office had cancelled the allotment of the house on July 3. Subsequently, the registrar of the Islamabad High Court issued a notice instructing Justice Babar Sattar to vacate the official residence within 30 days. Sources said that Justice Babar Sattar complied with the notice and vacated the residence after completing his judicial holidays. The house has now been cleared following the cancellation of its allotment. Justice Babar Sattar had been serving at the Islamabad High Court before being transferred to the Peshawar High Court. His transfer meant that the official residence allotted to him in Islamabad was no longer required under the same arrangement. The cancellation of the residence was carried out by the Estate Office on July 3. The subsequent notice from the Islamabad High Court registrar formally communicated the requirement to vacate the property within 30 days. According to sources familiar with the matter, Justice Babar Sattar left the government residence after his return from judicial leave. He reportedly vacated the house two days before the latest development was reported. Government residences are allotted to public officials according to applicable rules and are generally linked to their official postings and responsibilities. When an officer or judge is transferred to another jurisdiction, the relevant authorities may review or cancel the allotment of the official residence in accordance with the applicable regulations. In this case, the cancellation by the Estate Office was followed by the registrar’s notice, giving Justice Babar Sattar a 30-day period to vacate the premises. The residence has now been vacated, bringing the matter concerning the Islamabad government house to a close. Justice Babar Sattar’s transfer to the Peshawar High Court forms part of the judicial changes involving judges of the superior courts. Following the transfer, his official responsibilities are now associated with the Peshawar High Court rather than the Islamabad High Court. The latest development is limited to the vacation of the government residence and follows the formal cancellation of its allotment. According to sources, Justice Babar Sattar complied with the directions and vacated the property without waiting for the full 30-day period to expire. The sequence of events began with the Estate Office cancelling the house allotment on July 3. The Islamabad High Court registrar subsequently issued a notice requiring the residence to be vacated within 30 days. Justice Babar Sattar then vacated the house shortly after returning from judicial holidays. The development highlights the administrative consequences that can follow the transfer of a judge from one high court to another, particularly regarding official facilities and government accommodations. With the residence now vacated, the government property can be dealt with by the relevant authorities according to the applicable rules and future allotment requirements.