{
  "id": 17427711,
  "title": "Balochistan dismisses 72 doctors over prolonged absence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/balochistan-dismisses-72-doctors-over-prolonged-absence",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T15:59:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Times",
    "slug": "daily-times",
    "url": "https://dailytimes.com.pk/1574921/balochistan-dismisses-72-doctors-over-prolonged-absence/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Balochistan Health Department dismissed 72 doctors from government service on Saturday due to prolonged, unauthorized absence from duty. The dismissals, which included medical officers and senior medical officers, were carried out using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based attendance monitoring system designed to ensure regular reporting. According to Dawn, the action was taken under Section 4(B)(viii) of the Balochistan Employees’ Efficiency and Disciplinary Act (BEEDA), 2011.\n\nThe total number of employees dismissed from the Health Department has reached 200. Dawn reports that officials have deducted Rs410 million from employees' salaries due to absenteeism, and notices have been issued to 11,000 employees seeking explanations for disciplinary or attendance violations. Departmental action is currently underway against an additional 800 employees. Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar stated that the doctors had been repeatedly issued notices directing them to report for duty.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "AI-based attendance system leads to dismissal of 72 doctors in Balochistan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/ai-based-attendance-system-leads-to-dismissal-of-72-doctors-in",
        "published": "2026-10-31T11:58:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}