Islamabad: Barely days after shocking acid attack on a female doctor in Quetta and amid lingering outrage over the killing of a woman doctor in Kohat earlier this year, a senior female physician at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad has formally complained of workplace harassment, verbal abuse and intimidation, raising fresh concerns about the safety of women healthcare professionals in Pakistan.
Dr Zofishan Jabeen Fatima, Director Planning and Development at PIMS, has submitted a written complaint to the Executive Director of the hospital, alleging that she was subjected to harassment, threats and aggressive behaviour by a male employee, Qamar Gujjar, inside her office on June 8.
In the complaint, a copy of which is available with vitalsnews, Dr Zofishan stated that the incident occurred at around 1:45pm when the accused, accompanied by another individual identified as Sajid Ghafoor, allegedly entered her office without prior appointment or authorization.
According to the complaint, the man initiated what she described as a highly aggressive confrontation over a previous issue and continued arguing, shouting and using threatening language for nearly an hour.
She alleged that the behaviour was unprofessional, intimidating and intended to undermine her official position and personal safety.
The senior doctor further claimed that the situation escalated to the point where staff members from outside the office, after hearing raised voices, intervened and escorted the man out of the room. Even while leaving, she alleged, he continued using abusive language in the corridor.
Dr Zofishan maintained that the incident constituted workplace harassment and intimidation and had created an unsafe and hostile working environment. She requested that the matter be referred to the hospital’s harassment committee and that a formal inquiry be initiated against the accused.
She also sought disciplinary action under relevant civil service and workplace harassment laws and requested measures to ensure her safety pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Hospital officials confirmed receipt of the complaint and said the matter would be examined under the institution’s prescribed procedures. Efforts to obtain the version of the accused were not immediately successful.
The incident has emerged at a time when concerns over the safety of healthcare workers, particularly women doctors, are already running high across the country.
Last week, Dr Mahnoor Nasir, a postgraduate trainee in general surgery at Sandeman Provincial Hospital Quetta, suffered burn injuries after an acid attack allegedly carried out by a contractual lift operator inside the hospital premises. She is currently undergoing treatment in Karachi.
The latest complaint has also revived discussion about the broader issue of workplace violence against healthcare professionals. Medical associations and women’s rights advocates have repeatedly warned that harassment, intimidation and threats within healthcare institutions often go underreported due to fear of professional repercussions, social pressures and weak enforcement of workplace protection mechanisms.
Several doctors’ representatives expressed concern that incidents ranging from verbal abuse and threats to physical violence were becoming increasingly common in public sector hospitals.
They stressed that healthcare institutions should remain safe workplaces where doctors and other medical professionals can perform their duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.
They called for prompt, transparent and impartial investigations into all allegations of workplace misconduct and urged hospital administrations to strengthen security measures and enforcement of workplace harassment laws to protect healthcare workers, especially women, across the country.