{
  "id": 16556219,
  "title": "Lahore doctor’s penalty in death case set aside",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/lahore-doctors-penalty-in-death-case-set-aside",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T03:59:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2039817/lahore-doctors-penalty-in-death-case-set-aside"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Medical Tribunal has reversed a finding of negligence and dishonesty against a senior anaesthetist in connection with a child's death following surgery in 2021. The decision overturns the cancellation of his license and mandates a new investigation, while explicitly stating he has not been cleared of wrongdoing. The tribunal's chair, retired justice Safdar Saleem Shahid, authored the consolidated judgment addressing four appeals related to Hafsa Umer's death. Hafsa experienced a severe medical emergency during an orthopedic procedure at Hameed Latif Hospital on March 20, 2021, and succumbed to her injuries three days later. The tribunal permits the senior anaesthetist, Dr Muhammad Sheraz Saleem's appeal and mandates a reconsideration of his case. It highlights unresolved questions regarding the medical emergency's timing, video interpretation, recorded times' accuracy, and doctors' responsibilities. The tribunal also partly grants the child's father, Umer Farooq's appeal, instructing the regulator to reassess his complaints against specific practitioners following his opportunity for response. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council is directed to submit an indexed copy of the pertinent proceedings, including expert opinions and statements, within 14 days.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Medical Tribunal has set aside findings of negligence and dishonesty against a senior anaesthetist in connection with a child’s death after surgery in 2021, overturning the cancellation of his licence and ordering a fresh inquiry while explicitly clarifying that he has not been exonerated. The consolidated judgment, authored by tribunal chairman retired justice Safdar Saleem…",
  "key_points": [
    "Medical Tribunal overturns negligence and dishonesty findings against senior anaesthetist.",
    "Dr Muhammad Sheraz Saleem's license cancellation reversed; new investigation mandated.",
    "Tribunal directs Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to submit proceedings within 14 days."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Reversing the initial disciplinary sanctions shifts the burden back to investigators to resolve conflicting evidence regarding the timing and accuracy of medical responses during the fatal surgical emergency.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}