CM Punjab’s Inspection Team Closes Benazir Bhutto Hospital Canteen

A surprise inspection of the canteen at Rawalpindi’s Benazir Bhutto Hospital led to its closure and the arrest of the staff in charge, after officials discovered expired food and unsanitary conditions. The raid, carried out late at night on October 17, 2026, was ordered by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and overseen by Special Assistant Shoaib Mirza.

The inspection team made unannounced visits to several wards, checked medical equipment across different departments and spoke with patients and their families about drug availability and other health services. While the team praised the cleanliness of the wards and the proper functioning of the equipment, they found the hospital canteen lacking. Refrigerators contained food items that had passed their expiry dates, prompting Mirza to order the canteen sealed and a substantial fine imposed.

The officials responsible for the canteen were taken into custody, and the expired, potentially dangerous food was removed from the premises.