Kohat doctors protest after female colleague shot dead

WEB DESK: Staff at the KDA Divisional Headquarters Hospital, joined by members of the Young Doctors’ Association (YDA), staged a protest on Monday over the murder of Dr Mehwish Hasnain, a woman doctor shot outside the hospital late Sunday after completing her duties. Protesters blocked KDA Road, calling for the immediate arrest of the assailant and tighter security for hospital staff. According to colleagues, Dr Mehwish was targeted by a visitor whom she had earlier asked to leave a space reserved for women patients.

The YDA’s provincial spokesman, Hafeez Orakzai, said hospital services were suspended at three major facilities in the city, including KDA Hospital, Liaquat Women and Children’s Hospital, and the Dental Hospital, with only emergency care maintained. Staff resumed emergency services following a request from District Police Officer Shahbaz Khan, who confirmed three teams had been formed to track and arrest the killer. Dr Mehwish’s funeral was held at Sava Lakh graveyard, attended by colleagues and civil and police officials.

Authorities urged to tackle workplace violence

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Pakistan condemned the killing, calling it part of a growing pattern of violence against women doctors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The society urged a transparent, time-bound investigation, strict security measures at public health centres, and the development of a policy to prevent workplace violence, particularly against female medical professionals. “Violence justified under the guise of ego or so-called honour has no place in a lawful society,” the statement read, emphasising the need for accountability and protection for healthcare workers.

Shazia Marri condemns killing

The central spokesperson for Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Shazia Marri, strongly condemned the cowardly killing of Dr Mehwish on her way home. She called for all resources to be deployed for the immediate arrest of those responsible and stressed the urgent need for strict security measures for women doctors serving in challenging conditions. Marri emphasised that such crimes and this brutal mindset must not be tolerated, noting that the public anger reflected in the Young Doctors’ Association protest highlights existing security gaps. She urged the government to address the concerns of medical staff and ensure the protection of healthcare workers, while expressing deep sorrow over Dr Mehwish’s death and conveying full sympathy to her family.