KARACHI: The mystery surrounding the alleged disappearance of a newborn at a private hospital in Nazimabad has been resolved, with police saying the woman had faked her pregnancy to avoid social pressure and taunts over being childless.
According to police, the woman, identified as Zubia, wife of Rashid, was brought to the hospital on August 27 for delivery after claiming to be 38 weeks pregnant. However, hospital staff discovered during the procedure that there was no baby.
The incident triggered protests by the woman’s family, who allegedly vandalised parts of the hospital.
Police said Zubia had registered herself at the hospital’s gynaecology ward and submitted a fabricated ultrasound report. She had reportedly suffered a miscarriage about a year earlier and was distressed over not having a child after marriage.
According to police, she began presenting herself as pregnant because she feared taunts from her family over being childless.
Police alleged that the woman had a forged ultrasound report placed in her medical file. She arrived at the hospital carrying an ultrasound report dated August 8, which allegedly contained forged signatures of a doctor and a forged hospital stamp.
The hospital administration said an earlier ultrasound report dated February 16 had not confirmed a pregnancy.
According to the hospital, the woman’s condition was unstable and she was experiencing pain, prompting doctors to decide on an immediate operation. However, it was discovered during the procedure that she was not pregnant.
Police also alleged that the hospital staff admitted the woman without conducting the necessary tests, describing the development as criminal negligence. She remained admitted for around eight hours and was given medicines, police said.
Investigators said all relevant evidence had been collected and the woman had undergone a medical examination. During questioning, she allegedly admitted that she had lied about being pregnant to avoid taunts over being childless.
SSP Central Dr Imran Khan said the investigation had also uncovered alleged criminal negligence by the hospital.
Meanwhile, Sindh Healthcare Commission Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahsan Qavi said the commission had the authority to investigate complaints against hospitals.
“Police can only register an FIR; conducting medical investigations is not the police’s authority,” he told Geo News.
He said a clinical audit was being conducted and urged the relevant institutions to refer the matter to the Sindh Healthcare Commission, which would investigate the complaint and determine the facts.
Dr Qavi also clarified that a hospital could not be sealed simply at someone’s request, adding that he had received calls demanding that the facility be sealed.
