Pakistani midwife arrested over illegal abortions in Kunduz

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Police have detained a Pakistani midwife on charge of illegal abortions in northeastern Kunduz province.

Provincial crime branch chief, Col. Waisuddin Talash, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a Pakistani midwife who had recently started job in a private clinic in Kunduz was performing illegal surgical abortions and arrested by police on Wednesday.

He said the midwife was arrested after repeated complaints from local people. This woman was caught red handed besides many other evidences that proved her involvement in illegal abortions.

“Investigation is underway about the issue and the midwife would be handed over to judiciary organs after primary assessments,” he added.

On the other hand, the midwife, Kahlida, said she only performed ultrasound scans of pregnant women while surgical abortions were performed by another doctor and in guidance with other professionals of the clinic.

She said that she was a resident of Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad and has recently started work in a private clinic in Kunduz.

“A recent surgical abortion we performed in this clinic was against 35,000 Afghanis,” she said.

Besides Kunduz, illegal surgical abortions are performed in other provinces of the country as well.

mds