KARACHI: A dispute over the leadership of the Neurosurgery Department at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has intensified after the issuance of an office order reposting Prof. Dr. Lal Rehman as Head of Neurosurgery, while the existing in-charge Dr. Erum Bukhari has not relinquished the position, creating administrative complications and affecting patient services.
According to official documents, Dr. Erum Bukhari was assigned the charge of Head of Neurosurgery in August 2022 due to the unavailability of Prof. Lal Rehman, who had proceeded to Islamabad on deputation/lien, where he served at PIMS. Following the completion of his deputation, Prof. Lal Rehman has resumed duties at JPMC on his original post as Professor and Head of the Department.
A notification dated December 1, 2025, issued by the Deputy Executive Director of JPMC, reposted Prof. Lal Rehman to lead the department until further orders. The notification was circulated across all clinical departments for compliance. However, Dr. Erum Bukhari has continued to retain the charge, which has resulted in operational challenges within the department.
Hospital sources state that the administrative uncertainty has begun to impact patient care, with several neurosurgical patients admitted for two to three months awaiting their procedures. Senior doctors say that consistent leadership is critical for managing the high-volume neurosurgical workload at JPMC, which caters to hundreds of emergency and elective patients from across Sindh and Balochistan.
Officials confirmed that earlier this year, concerns were raised at the departmental level regarding disruptions in ward functions, including disagreements over postings of doctors and access to operating lists. The Sindh Health Department had taken notice of these issues and sought clarity from JPMC regarding the administrative structure of the unit.
Health department correspondence also shows that the provincial minister had previously written to the federal authorities about matters relating to Dr. Erum Bukhari’s service details, seeking clarification on her status.
The matter has also entered legal proceedings, where applications have been filed relating to the recent office order. As the case is pending adjudication, hospital officials refrained from commenting on any aspect currently before the court.
JPMC’s management has stated that all administrative decisions are being taken in accordance with government rules and notifications, and that continuity of patient care remains the institution’s top priority. Senior faculty members have emphasized the need for a timely resolution to ensure smooth functioning of the Neurosurgery Department and prevent further delays in surgeries.
Patients and attendants have urged the authorities to stabilize the department’s leadership structure, as prolonged waiting periods for critical neurosurgical procedures continue to add to their hardship.
