Balochistan doctors expand protest, seek judicial inquiry into acid attack on female medic
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- Web Desk
- 1 Minute ago
By Asmat Sumalani
QUETTA: Medical professionals in Balochistan have announced a province-wide expansion of their protests from June 12, demanding a judicial inquiry and the removal of top health officials following a horrific acid attack on a female doctor in Quetta.
The Young Doctors Association (YDA), the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), and the Allied Health Association jointly called for the immediate termination of both the provincial health secretary and the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Civil Hospital Quetta, accusing them of administrative negligence regarding staff security.
“Hospitals have become entirely unsafe for doctors, nurses, and medical staff,” YDA Chairman Dr Abdul Hai Baloch said during a press conference in Quetta on Wednesday.
“Instead of addressing our severe security concerns, the government is completely preoccupied with the upcoming budget. We will no longer tolerate this negligence.”
The joint action committee demanded that the Balochistan assembly pass protective legislation for healthcare professionals, mirroring laws implemented by the Punjab government.
To minimize public distress during the upcoming boycotts, Dr Baloch announced that YDA and PMA members will provide free medical treatment at all private hospitals across Quetta.
The medical bodies strongly condemned comments made by Quetta’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police regarding the investigation into the victim, identified as Dr Mahnoor.
“The DIG issued a highly bizarre statement claiming the suspect had previously sent a marriage proposal to the victim’s house,” PMA representative Dr Bahar Shah said.
“We strongly condemn this narrative and demand the establishment of an independent judicial commission to oversee the case. We will only accept the findings of a proper judicial inquiry.”
The alliance stated that no government representative has contacted them since the incident occurred on Tuesday, prompting their decision to expand what was initially a localised Quetta protest into a full provincial movement starting Friday.
