The video has sparked widespread outrage, with many Pakistani social media users criticizing the provincial government’s failure or intervention to take back government property.
The claim is misleading.
Claim
On November 27, a user posted a three-minute video on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: “Everything is possible in Swat. The building of the Saydu Sharif Teaching Hospital has been occupied by a man and is now 200,000 on rent for Rs.
The video shows a man claiming that the ground floor of the hospital, which was previously used as an ambulance parking area, has been converted into a hotel. The video also alleges that the upper floors are being rented out to private individuals.
At the time of writing, the post has received over 4,000 views, over 150 likes, and 49 shares.
Also posted on the same video. Facebook.
The reality
The claim in the video is misleading and leaves out important details.
Although it is true that part of the Saydu Sharif Hospital building was once occupied by private individuals, these areas have since been vacated. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department now rents out space for the hospital to generate revenue.
Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals is a government hospital serving the regions of Swat, Malakand and Kohistan. It is affiliated to Saidu Medical College, Swat.
Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Sharaf Ali Khan said Geo fact check That the building was illegally occupied for more than 30 years by shop owners who had set up a commercial center in the hospital premises. A few years ago, the provincial government took legal action against these occupants, which resulted in their eviction. Now, the health department has control of the building and earns revenue by renting it out, increasing the annual rent by 15 percent.
However, parts of the building are still occupied, and legal action is underway to deal with it.
Geo fact check He then contacted KP Health Department Public Relations Officer Attaullah Khan, who also confirmed that the building was in illegal occupation since 1978. In 2011, the provincial government took the case to the Supreme Court and ruled in their favour. As a result, the shopkeepers were evicted.
Currently, the Department of Health rents space at fixed rates, with annual rent increases of 15%. But Khan also said that parts of the building are still controversial.
Verdict: While the building was previously illegally occupied by private individuals, it is now managed by the KP Health Department, which rents it out to generate revenue for the hospital.
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