Doctors from government and private hospitals in Balochistan have begun an indefinite strike in protest against the abduction of their fellow doctor, media reports said on Friday.
Dr Din Mohammad Bangulzai, surgeon affiliated with Bolan Medical College, was taken away by armed men on Sunday when he was coming to Quetta from Mastung. On Wednesday, the kidnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom of Rs 8 million for his release.
The strike is being observed on the call of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA).
On Thursday, doctors across the province warned the government to recover Bangulzai within 24 hours, warning that otherwise the fraternity of doctors would go on a strike.
All Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) remained closed and all scheduled operations were also cancelled.
The hospitals of the provincial capital, including Helper’s Hospital, Bolan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Fatima Jinnah TB Sanatorium and provincial Sandeman Hospital wore a deserted look.
The strike was also observed in private hospitals in Quetta to express solidarity with the Bangulzai’s family. However, doctors were present at government hospitals only for emergency cases.
Meanwhile, the activists of All Parties Steering Committee of Kachhi district (Bolan) staged a demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club to protest against the abduction of the doctor and deteriorating law and order in Balochistan.
Participants were carrying placards and banners inscribed with different demands. They were also shouting slogans for immediately recovery of the kidnapped doctor.
The leaders of the National Party, the Balochistan National Party, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and the PPP regretted that kidnapping for ransom, recovery of decomposed dead bodies, robbery and other crimes had become the order of the day and the provincial government seemed lame duck vis-à-vis law and order in the province. They condemned the kidnapping of Dr Bangulzai, saying he had played a vital role in serving the people of the province and his abduction was a matter of great concern.
The speakers demanded the provincial government to make efforts for early and safe recovery of senior surgeon and unleash a crackdown upon the criminal gang involved in kidnapping for ransom and other crimes.