Case Update Status

Matter has been compromised

Summary of Case

On May 13, 2025, Lahore Range & Neo News reporter Azhar Nadeem was allegedly assaulted and threatened at gunpoint by Haji Muhammad, a Naib Qasid at RHC McLeod Ganj Hospital in Minchanabad. The incident occurred when Nadeem visited the hospital after receiving information that a peon was administering injections in the absence of a doctor. On June 3, speaking to PPF, Lahore Rang News Reporter Azhar Nadeem shared details of an incident that allegedly occurred at the Rural Health Centre (RHC) McLeod Ganj. Azhar stated that on May 13, around 5:30 PM, a patient from RHC McLeod, Ganj, contacted him and reported a disturbing situation at the hospital. The patient, who had been admitted following an accident, claimed that no doctor was present at the facility and that a peon was administering injections, raising serious concerns about the standard of care being provided. The patient requested that the reporter visit the hospital and investigate the situation. Azhar Nadeem said that he visited the hospital along with his cameraman. Upon arrival, he found no medical staff present and observed that a peon was indeed administering injections to patients. When questioned about the doctor’s whereabouts, the peon reportedly responded, “I am the doctor.” The patient further alleged that the injections were being administered “as if to an animal,” and that his arm had swollen as a result. When Azhar began recording and questioning the staff, Haji Muhammad, identified as a Naib Qasid (peon), allegedly became aggressive. Azhar claimed that Haji Muhammad physically assaulted him by slapping him, which led to a quarrel. Azhar further stated that he and his cameraman were harassed and threatened during the incident. Following this, Azhar reported the incident to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of, District Health Authority, Bahawalnagar, and submitted video evidence. The CEO took immediate disciplinary action and suspended Haji Muhammad for 90 days. Azhar Nadeem also expressed gratitude for the support he received from the Press Club Bahawalnagar, the entire Lahore Rang team, and other journalist organizations. He noted that protests were held in response to the incident and that multiple news channels raised their voices to highlight the negligence and mistreatment reported at the hospital. On May 14, Muhammad Azhar Nadeem posted a video on his Facebook Profile showing the physical assault on the Lahore Rang News team by hospital staff at Rural Health Center Hospital, Macleod Ganj in Minchanabad. In the post, he appealed for action to be taken against what he described as "gangsters" hospital staff who are frequently absent from duty and allegedly fail to provide medicine to underprivileged patients. On May 14, Muhammad Akram Khokhar shared on Facebook an official order from the CEO of the District Health Authority, Bahawalnagar, along with a copy of the FIR filed by journalist Muhammad Azhar Nadeem. The FIR# 247/25 was registered on May 14, at the MacLeod Ganj Police Station under sections 506 (B) ‘Punishment for criminal intimidation if threat be to cause death or grievous hurt’ of the Pakistan Penal Code, on the complaint by Azhar Nadeem against Haji Muhammad. The FIR stated that Muhammad Ahmed contacted journalist Muhammad Azhar Nadeem and informed him that he had brought a patient, Mir Amreez, to RHC Macleod Ganj, where no doctor was present on duty. Upon receiving the information, Azhar Nadeem went to RHC Macleod Ganj to assess the situation. As he confirmed that no doctor was available and began to leave, a hospital staff member, Haji Muhammad—serving as a naib qasid—approached him outside the hospital gate. According to the FIR, Haji Muhammad was armed with a 30-bore pistol. He immediately began slapping and punching Azhar Nadeem and threatened him at gunpoint with serious consequences. According to the FIR, the incident was witnessed and testified to by Mian Ahmed Raza. Another witness, Muhammad Faizan, intervened and helped protect Azhar Nadeem during the assault while also attending to a child present at the scene. Azhar Nadeem submitted a written application to the local police station on May 14, 2025, requesting legal action against Haji Muhammad. As per the official order of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, District Health Authority, Bahawalnagar, Mr. Haji Muhammad, Naib Qasid at RHC Macleod Ganj Hospital, was suspended with immediate effect for a period of 90 days. During the suspension period, he remained attached to this office and received his salary in accordance with the prevailing rules and regulations. On May 22, speaking to PPF Neo News Bureau Chief Javed Baloch, Azhar Nadeem is our reporter from Lahore Rang, who belongs to Minchanabad, whose incident had taken place, which has been sorted out at that moment, the FIR has been lodged & the hospital staff who slapped him was also terminated. On May 22, speaking to PPF Radio Bahawalpur Senior Station Manager, Shahrooz Raza provided details about an incident involving journalist Azhar Nadeem, which took place in Minchanabad tehsil of Bahawalpur. According to Shahrooz Raza, the incident stemmed from ongoing issues at the local hospital, where doctors reportedly do not arrive on time or dedicate proper attention to their duties. The patient involved in the incident had not been receiving adequate medical care and reached out to Neo News to raise awareness and demand medical assistance for patients at the facility. Azhar Nadeem, a journalist affiliated with Neo News Channel, was sent to cover the story. Shahrooz mentioned that paramedical staff are often unavailable during evening and night shifts. In some cases, only intern nurses, who lack full qualifications, are present. He further alleged that during the night, patients are frequently dealt with by Grade-4 staff, such as security guards and office boys, instead of qualified doctors. The patient who had contacted Neo News experienced an emergency during the night when no doctors were present. In response, Neo News dispatched Azhar Nadeem to report on the situation. During the visit, a confrontation occurred. Shahrooz stated that journalists in Bahawalnagar are generally unqualified and often lack basic communication etiquette. While on duty, Azhar Nadeem reportedly became physical with Grade-4 staff. One of the employees slapped him, escalating into a physical altercation. Shahrooz further claimed that Neo News did not broadcast the incident on its channel. He also alleged that Azhar Nadeem operates a YouTube channel and is paid by other channels to cover and report news stories under the guise of journalism. Muhammad Akhtar Saleem, Assistant Sub Inspector, told PPF that the matter has been compromised between the parties, and the FIR was withdrawn. Abbad Abid, Chairperson of Minchanabad Press Club, confirmed to the PPF that a case involving Azhar Nadeem has been resolved after the hospital management issued an apology. Bahawalpur Press Club President Chaudhry Saleem said that he has no idea about the matter, he will discuss it with the Minchanabad Press Club and update.

Category of Incident

Assault

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201- Assault

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: 020111

ICCS Crime: Assault

Reported By

PPF Safety Monitors

Date of incident

14

Month

May

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Muhammad Azhar Nadeem

Other affected persons

Iqbal Qureshi

Name of affected organization

Lahore Rang

Other affected organizations

Neo News

Action by

Haji Muhammad, a Naib Qasid at RHC McLeod Ganj Hospital in Minchanabad

City

Minchanabad

Province

Punjab

Designation

Reporter and Cameraperson

Professional category

Journalists

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation was announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation was announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation was announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: Yes

Date of FIR:

FIR Details: 247/25

Police station of FIR: MacLeod Ganj Police Station

Name of complainant: Muhammad Azhar Nadeem

Name of accused in FIR: Haji Muhammad

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

Court where case was presented: Not presented before court yet

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: N/A

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

No version was recorded

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

No version was recorded

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Speaking to PPF Radio Bahawalpur Senior Station Manager, Shahrooz Raza provided details about an incident involving journalist Azhar Nadeem, which took place in Minchanabad tehsil of Bahawalpur. According to Shahrooz Raza, the incident stemmed from ongoing issues at the local hospital, where doctors reportedly do not arrive on time or dedicate proper attention to their duties. The patient involved in the incident had not been receiving adequate medical care and reached out to Neo News to raise awareness and demand medical assistance for patients at the facility. Azhar Nadeem, a journalist affiliated with Neo News Channel, was sent to cover the story. Shahrooz mentioned that paramedical staff are often unavailable during evening and night shifts. In some cases, only intern nurses, who lack full qualifications, are present. He further alleged that during the night, patients are frequently dealt with by Grade-4 staff, such as security guards and office boys, instead of qualified doctors. The patient who had contacted Neo News experienced an emergency during the night when no doctors were present. In response, Neo News dispatched Azhar Nadeem to report on the situation. During the visit, a confrontation occurred. Shahrooz stated that journalists in Bahawalnagar are generally unqualified and often lack basic communication etiquette. While on duty, Azhar Nadeem reportedly became physical with Grade-4 staff. One of the employees slapped him, escalating into a physical altercation. Shahrooz further claimed that Neo News did not broadcast the incident on its channel. He also alleged that Azhar Nadeem operates a YouTube channel and is paid by other channels to cover and report news stories under the guise of journalism.

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Abbad Abid, Chairperson of Minchanabad Press Club, confirmed to the PPF that a case involving Azhar Nadeem has been resolved after the hospital management issued an apology.

Press club 2: Bahawalpur Press Club President Chaudhry Saleem said that he has no idea about the matter, he will discuss it with the Minchanabad Press Club and update.

Press club 3: N/A