Consultant Dr Ejaz faces G-B govt wrath for criticizing policies

GILGIT: Dr Ejaz Ayub, Consultant Cardiologist (BS-19) at Provincial Headquarters (PHQ) Hospital in Gilgit, has been charged with misconduct for publicly criticising government policies during a public gathering.

According to a charge sheet issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Finance Department, Dr Ejaz participated in a protest staged by some organisations at Itihad Chowk, Gilgit, on January 25, where he allegedly delivered a speech “criticising government policies.”

The charge sheet claimed that despite verbal and written warnings, Dr Ejaz “continued to spread disinformation and defend his actions through social media.”

Dr Ejaz was also accused of repeatedly sharing “anti-government material” on social media time and again, while the charge sheet against him declared his “general attitude at the workplace as unbecoming of a doctor and government official.”

The charge sheet said after reviewing the evidence, the competent authority concluded that Dr Ejaz is “prima facie guilty of misconduct” and deemed a formal inquiry “unnecessary under the GB Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2011.”

The Finance Department has given Dr Ejaz seven days to respond, failing which he may face penalties — including the major penalty of dismissal from service — as prescribed under the aforementioned rules.

While speaking to HUM News English, Dr Ejaz Ayub dismissed the misconduct charges as “baseless”, alleging they were an attempt to “suppress voices advocating for their rights.”

“I was neither issued a show-cause notice nor summoned for any inquiry. They directly issued a charge sheet against me. The allegations in the charge sheet are completely unfounded.,” he said.

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Dr Ejaz maintained that he had not done anything illegal, and the misconduct allegations were false. “Discussing healthcare issues at a public forum does not constitute misconduct. Even if I attend a political rally as a doctor, it’s not misconduct — I’m not part of the government machinery,” he added.

He argued that, unlike uniformed personnel or administrative officers (such as assistant or deputy commissioners), doctors “do not serve as part of the government’s executive framework.”

“As a doctor, I have the right to speak at any forum about the lack of medicines and facilities in public hospitals. Taking action against me for this is, I believe, an attack on freedom of speech,” he added.

Dr Ejaz suggested that the charges were likely a response to his social media posts expressing solidarity with the Awami Action Committee protests and the 55-day-long sit-in by people affected by the Diamer Basha Dam project.

The Young Doctors Association Gilgit-Baltistan (YDA G-B) condemned the charge sheet as “incomprehensible, unlawful and completely unacceptable”.

“The decision, made behind closed doors without fulfilling legal requirements or issuing a show-cause notice, is clearly biased, vindictive, and unconstitutional. It is not only an insult to our noble medical community but also a disgrace to thousands of healthcare workers who continue to serve selflessly despite severe resource shortages and challenging conditions,” reads a statement issued by YDA G-B spokesperson Dr Muhammad Mushtaq.

The YDA said it stands firmly with Dr Ejaz Ayub and would raise its objections on all legal and administrative forums against the “unconstitutional move”.

The association said instead of targeting employees with petty retaliatory actions — which disrupt the system’s harmony — the focus should be on addressing Gilgit-Baltistan’s critical issues. These include systemic failures in healthcare, education, and other sectors, which demand urgent attention and resolution.

“The association has decided to immediately form a committee to actively pursue the important matter across all relevant forums. We will not hesitate to take whatever steps necessary, including extreme measures, to ensure justice in this case,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Secretary Health Asifullah said the charge sheet against Dr Ejaz is part of an inquiry. “In fact, an inquiry starts with a charge sheet, the accused submits his reply on the charges conveyed through a charge sheet by an authorised officer appointed. It’s as per rules.”