AI-based attendance system leads to dismissal of 72 doctors in Balochistan
QUETTA: The Balochistan Health Department on Saturday dismissed 72 doctors from government service for prolonged absence from duty. The doctors were dismissed under an artificial intelligence (AI)-based attendance system introduced by the provincial government to ensure that medical staff reported for duty regularly. According to an official notification issued by the Balochistan health…
Quetta, Balochistan - The provincial health department has dismissed 72 doctors for chronic absenteeism from duty, as per an AI-driven attendance system introduced to improve medical staff punctuality. The dismissal, under Section 4(B)(viii) of the Balochistan Employees’ Efficiency and Disciplinary Act (BEEDA), 2011, took effect immediately.
The action targets both medical officers (BPS-17) and senior medical officers (BPS-18). This brings the total number of dismissed health department employees to 200. The Health Department has deducted Rs410 million from staff salaries due to repeated absenteeism. The department has also issued warnings to 11,000 employees regarding their violation of attendance and disciplinary rules.
Another 800 employees are under investigation. Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar stated that the doctors ignored repeated notices to attend work, leading to the government's decision. The minister emphasized zero tolerance for absenteeism and negligence among medical staff. Health reforms are underway, under Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti's direction, to enhance the Health Department's performance, with staff attendance monitored via an AI-based system.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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