Support Justice for Dr Almas Qazi — A Stand Against Institutional Bias

Over three decades ago, in 1993, Esmail and Everington exposed deep-rooted racial bias within the General Medical Council (GMC) in how it managed disciplinary cases. Their work prompted an investigation by the Policy Studies Institute, which identified serious flaws in the GMC’s decision-making process—so grave they were classed as amounting to serious professional misconduct. The report urged the GMC to adopt clear, agreed standards to safeguard against discrimination and uphold fairness.

Yet the pattern persists.

The Arora Report recently highlighted a culture of complacency within the GMC, citing a lack of curiosity, inconsistent decision-making, and misapplication of legal principles. In the case of Professor Omar Karim, the GMC was found guilty of racial discrimination, prompting the BMJ to describe the GMC as a “leviathan, unaccountable, hegemonic, and institutionally racist.”

It is now well established that doctors from ethnic minority backgrounds are twice as likely to be referred to the GMC as their white counterparts—referrals that often result in devastating consequences for careers, well-being, and families.

The Case of Dr Almas Qazi

Once again, the GMC and MPTS have failed to deliver justice—this time in the case of Dr Almas Qazi, who has been unfairly erased from the medical register.

APPNE stands in full support of Dr Qazi as he challenges this decision through a judicial review, for which he has already secured permission—a rare and significant legal milestone indicating that serious errors of law may have occurred.

Despite his professionalism, insight, and full compliance with previous conditions, Dr Qazi has faced:

Disproportionate sanction

Procedural unfairness

Irrationality

Breach of natural justice

Reliance on an expert no longer practising in GI surgery

No complaints from patients, public, or his employer

Timeline Summary

May 2020: During the early COVID-19 crisis, Dr Qazi gave a social media interview. He informed his Responsible Officer (RO), who met with the GMC and was reassured there would be no action.

July 2020: Dr Qazi was unexpectedly informed of a misconduct investigation.

The GMC re-approached former employers, prompting submission of past complications already addressed locally, leading to a second investigation and suspension.

The social media case was reviewed by MPTS, which found no impairment and issued only a warning.

In October 2022, the IOT panel acknowledged Dr Qazi’s insight, remorse, and remediation, imposing conditional registration instead of suspension.

Dr Qazi fully complied with all conditions, underwent appraisals, and showed continued remediation until 2024.

Yet, a subsequent MPTS hearing resulted in erasure—based on facts already resolved in 2022.

This decision defies logic, justice, and due process.

Why This Case Matters

Dr Qazi’s case is not just about one doctor—it is a litmus test for the integrity and fairness of our regulatory system. If successful, this judicial review will:

Highlight and correct serious legal errors

Challenge the pattern of disproportionate sanctions against BME doctors

Set a precedent for future cases, forcing MPTS and DMC to act with greater accountability and consistency

How You Can Help

Dr Qazi has exhausted his savings and remains unemployed while he defends his right to practise medicine. APPNE has initiated a fundraising campaign to support his legal challenge.

We urgently call upon our community to support this fight for justice—not only for Dr Qazi, but for every professional who risks facing a system that too often fails them.

Please donate generously to the APPNE Business Account

Let us come together as a united professional voice to demand fairness, transparency, and accountability.

In Solidarity,

Dr Nadeem Sajjad Raja

President of APPNE

On behalf of APPNE