KARACHI: Unidentified armed assailants shot Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Medical and Health Services former senior director Dr Birbal Genani dead near Lyari Expressway Garden Interchange in Karachi, while a lady doctor, said to be his assistant, was injured in the attack.
According to the police, Dr Genani, along with his assistant Dr Quratul Ain, was on his way to Gulshan-e-Iqbal from Ramswamy when unidentified armed men shot at his car near Garden Interchange on the Lyari Expressway.
As a result, Dr Genani died on the spot, while his assistant sustained bullet injuries.
On being informed of the incident, police and the Rescue 1122 officials rushed to the scene and shifted the body and the injured doctor to hospital.
Dr Genani, who also served as medical superintendent of the Spencer Eye Hospital, did his Masters in Public Health (MPH), Masters in Business Administration (MBA), after his retirement around one and a half years ago.
A close circuit television (CCTV) camera footage of the incident, surfacing on the internet, Dr Genani’s car could be seen ramming into a wall following the gun attack.
Talking to journalists, Karachi City SSP City Arif Aziz termed the incident targeted killing, adding that police were investigating to know the motive of the attack.
He said apparently, there was only one bullet mark on the vehicle, adding that police were recording the statement of the lady doctor who was injured in the attack.
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori took notice of the incident and sought a report from Karachi police additional inspector general (AIG). He expressed deep sorrow over Dr Genani’s death.
PMA, YDA CONDEMN BRUTAL MURDER
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and the Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) have strongly condemned the brutal murder of Dr Genani.
In a statement, the PMA expresses its deep concern over the targeted killing of a senior doctor and injuries to a lady doctor, saying, “We have lost many doctors in the past. Such incidents make the medical fraternity feel insecure and doctors have been compelled to migrate abroad [because of such violence].”
The PMA demanded through investigation into the incident and immediate arrest of the culprits involved in this heinous crime to bring them to justice.
It also demanded the government to take immediate steps to provide security to the healthcare providers in the country.
Similarly, the YDA Sindh chapter strongly condemned the killing of the senior health professional, saying the incident also created fear and panic among the medical community.
“On the occasion of the World Doctors Day, this tragic incident is a stark reminder to the risks that doctors face while performing their duties. Doctors are the backbone of any healthcare system and are on the forefront of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” a YDA statement said, also extending its condolences to Dr Genani’s family and praying for the speedy recovery of the doctor injured in the attack.
In a personal statement, YDA Sindh Chairman Dr M Omer Sultan said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a fellow doctor. Dr Birbal was a dedicated public health professional who worked tirelessly to improve the health of the people of Sindh. This senseless act of violence against a doctor is unacceptable, and we demand that the authorities take immediate action to bring the culprits to justice.”
YDA Sindh President Dr Yaseen Umerani, said “This is a dark day for the medical community in Sindh. The killing of Dr Birbal is a heinous crime and a grave violation of the fundamental right to life. We call upon the government to take better security measures to protect doctors who are serving on the frontlines of the healthcare system.”