MULTAN: The appalling discovery of mutilated, decomposing bodies on the rooftop of the morgue at the Nishtar Medical University and Hospital is yet to be clarified by the administration.

Harrowing visuals, shared widely on social media, showed at least a dozen corpses on the roof in different stages of decomposition and missing vital organs. It has also resulted in confusion over the number of bodies found, with some claiming the number is as high as 500. The university is yet to clarify the number though it has been reported in some sections of the media that four bodies were found. In the visuals more than four bodies are visible.

Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister Tariq Zaman Gujjar raised the alarm after finding the bodies during a visit to the hospital. Those at the scene said that the CM’s aide had been informed - either about the abandoned bodies or the stench emanating from the roof - which is why he made a beeline for the rooftop.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Nishtar Medical University Professor Dr Mehnaz Khakwani has established a three-member investigation committee for the investigation.

Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has sought a report report from the secretary of the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education department on the issue while calling for strict action against those responsible.

The medical superintended of the Nishtar Hospital has been ordered to submit a report within three days.

According to reports, initial investigation by the Punjab government has revealed that these are unclaimed bodies that were handed over to the the Nishtar Medical University so that medical students could use it for anatomical education and other experiments.

This was also shared by Moonis Elahi, a former federal minister and the son of the current Punjab chief minister, in a Twitter thread earlier today.

“These bodies are decayed and foul smelling. These cannot be kept in the freezer,” he tweeted, quoting the head of department of the Department of Anatomy at the Nishtar Hospital.

The thread added that the condition of the bodies necessitated complete putrefaction, so that the bones could be retrieved from these bodies for medical students so they could be used for educational purposes.

“After the retrieveral of bones, these bodies are always buried properly,” tweeted Elahi quoting the HoD of the Anatomy Department of Nishtar Medical College & Hospital.