PAKPATTAN: A sessions court in Pakpattan on Monday acquitted former DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Adnan Ghaffar and former CEO Health Dr Sohail Asghar in a case concerning the deaths of 20 children, most of them newborns.
Additional Sessions Judge Asad Hafeez announced the verdict, clearing both former officials of the charges in the case.
The case was registered at City Police Station, Pakpattan, after 20 children died at District Headquarters Hospital in June 2025. The deaths were initially attributed to an alleged shortage of oxygen at the facility.
Officials arrested after CM visit
Dr Ghaffar and Dr Asghar were arrested on July 4, 2025, following directives issued by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif after her surprise inspection of the hospital.
During the visit, the chief minister received complaints from patients and their attendants regarding shortages of medicines and inadequate healthcare facilities. She subsequently ordered action against the hospital administration, with the two officials arrested in her presence.
Inquiry points to complications before hospital admission
A subsequent preliminary investigation, however, presented a different picture of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The inquiry found that a number of the newborns had developed serious complications during deliveries conducted at
private maternity centres or by untrained midwives.
The report stated that several critically ill infants were brought to the DHQ Hospital only after their condition had significantly deteriorated, leaving doctors with limited opportunities for effective treatment.
Sources also said some newborns were brought to the hospital without their mothers, making diagnosis and treatment more difficult.
A clinical audit was later carried out to examine the quality and timing of medical care provided after the children arrived at the DHQ Hospital.
The preliminary investigation was jointly prepared by the Punjab Health Department and the Sahiwal commissioner’s office.
Following the findings, the health authorities also took action against private healthcare facilities, sealing four private hospitals in connection with the broader investigation.
