A doctor at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has been suspended for uploading a video of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman undergoing medical examination at the premier facility.
The medical officer who recorded the video in the VIP room of PIMS has been suspended with immediate effect after the clip went viral, Dawn newspaper reported.
The JUI-F leader was admitted to the hospital on April 28 after he complained of stomach-related issues and was briefly kept under observation as doctors carried out a number of tests before he was finally discharged from the hospital.
The video of Fazl, in which he is seen lying on a hospital bed and receiving medical care by a female doctor, drew a mixed response on social media by his followers and supporters of rival political parties.
The religious leader who has remained vocal against women empowerment was criticised by his opponents for getting medical treatment by a female doctor, the report said.
Pims Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Akram said Rehman's son contacted him and lodged a complaint saying a doctor had recorded his father being examined, and was most likely the same person who uploaded the video.
"We also received a number of calls in which followers of the religious leader asked why privacy wasn't ensured during the check up," Akram was quoted as saying by the Dawn.
He said a three-member committee has been formed to look into the matter. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days.
The hospital's staff was also warned that it was unethical and unprofessional to obtain photographs of any patient, or release them to anyone without the patient's permission.
The incident is the second scandal to rock Pims in about three weeks. On April 9, a 20-year-old patient was allegedly raped by a hospital employee, who has since been arrested.
