June 18, 2026
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
Authorities have launched an inquiry into an incident that triggered a protest by nursing students at DHQ Hospital Jhang, while officials maintain that the matter is a professional dispute rather than harassment. Meanwhile, students claim that their termination has been reversed by the provincial nursing authority.
Speaking to Voicepk, Assistant Commissioner Jhang Rab Nawaz Chadhar said the matter stemmed from a professional misunderstanding and is currently under investigation.
“It was a professional conflict and was not harassment. It was a misunderstanding and the conflict has been resolved. A committee has been formed to investigate the incident further and give final findings,” he said.
When asked whether any action had been taken against the doctor accused by students, he said disciplinary measures would depend on the inquiry findings.
“Once the committee gives its findings and it proves the allegations, only then action will be taken against the doctor,” he said.
Students’ protest and allegations
The controversy emerged after nursing students staged a protest at DHQ Hospital Jhang on June 9.
According to local sources, the protest was triggered after a senior doctor allegedly misbehaved with a nurse associated with the nursing training institute. A student nurse, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the alleged harassment included verbal abuse, threats, and body shaming.
The sources claimed that nursing students raised the matter with the Medical Superintendent (MS) of DHQ Hospital, Dr. Abdul Rehman, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Health, but alleged that no action was taken, prompting them to stage a demonstration.
However, hospital authorities have disputed this account.
Medical Superintendent’s version
The Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital Jhang, Dr. Abdul Rehman, told Voicepk that a written complaint regarding alleged verbal abuse was received on June 6.
“It was an allegation of verbal abuse against a staff nurse by a surgeon of our hospital, and both were on duty,” he said.
He said the incident occurred in a complex situation where the surgeon’s nephews were injured in a road accident and were under treatment at the hospital.
“Early reports by the staff suggested that due to alleged negligence in treatment, the surgeon used abusive language towards the staff nurse,” he said.
According to him, the administration initially attempted to resolve the matter internally.
“We planned to resolve the issue internally among the hospital staff. One of the doctor’s nephews was shifted to Lahore for treatment and the surgeon also accompanied him. We called the doctor for his explanation, but he requested leave due to his nephew’s critical condition. We could not refuse leave in such an emergency situation,” he said.
Inquiry process and administrative response
Dr. Abdul Rehman said the inquiry was scheduled for the following week, but the students staged a protest before the process could formally begin.
“We told them that the inquiry would be held the next day, but they did not listen,” he said.
He added that the Deputy Commissioner was informed, after which the Assistant Commissioner was sent to manage the situation and a committee was formed under the supervision of the CEO Health.
Speaking to Voicepk, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Health Dr. Muhammad Younis confirmed that an inquiry committee had been constituted to investigate the incident.
“The committee has been formed in the presence of district officials to investigate the incident and submit its report. The committee’s inquiry was a bit delayed because we had to change an official on the committee because of a conflict in another case,” he said.
Contested disciplinary action against students
Meanwhile, a notification dated June 9 regarding disciplinary action against 16 female nursing students circulated widely on social media.
A copy of the notification, available with Voicepk, stated that the students allegedly “spearheaded, instigated others and organized an unauthorized protest” in violation of institutional rules and discipline.
It further accused them of bypassing regulations, remaining absent from mandatory clinical duties, and violating an undertaking signed at the time of admission. The letter stated that they were relieved from the College of Nursing Jhang and directed to report to the Director General Nursing Punjab for further disciplinary proceedings.
However, Assistant Commissioner Chadhar said he had been informed by the health department that no final action had been taken against the students.
“I have been in contact with the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Department and he has told that no action has been taken against the nursing students,” he said.
Students’ claim of reversal of termination
A student nurse of the institute, who was part of the protest, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Voicepk that the termination of the 16 students had been withdrawn by the Director General Nursing Punjab (DGN), Lahore.
“The termination of sixteen students was temporary. They went to Lahore to the DGN Punjab and presented their case. Their termination has been cancelled and all of them have rejoined the college today,” the student said.
She further added that the DGN also assured the students that appropriate action would be taken regarding the incident.
Voicepk could not independently verify these claims.
Video circulating on social media
A video circulating on social media shows several student nurses participating in the protest, alleging lack of safety and protection during duty.
In the video, students can be heard saying they were on duty in the OPD when a senior doctor allegedly instructed two to three student nurses to monitor a patient and not attend other duties.
A student nurse alleged that the surgeon verbally harassed staff in the presence of his family members, who were also present at the hospital. She further alleged that the incident involved body shaming and threats directed at nursing staff when a staff nurse intervened.
“We were not secure and protected during duty,” the students said in the video, questioning working conditions at the hospital.
The inquiry committee is expected to determine the nature of the incident and whether any disciplinary or legal action is warranted against any of the parties involved.