Doctors in Balochistan resumed their duties on Saturday, ending their 17-day strike after Dr Ghulam Rasool, a senior psychiatrist at the Bolan Medical College (BMC) hospital, was released by kidnappers. The doctors in the province resumed their duties in all departments, including Outpatient Departments (OPDs).
Over the last two weeks, the OPDs remained closed at all hospitals in Quetta and the rest of the province, while emergency services also remained suspended. Dr Sultan Tareen, president of the Balochistan chapter of PMA, confirmed that the strike had ended after safe return of the abducted psychiatrist. Dr Rasool was kidnapped on August 1 from the Brewery Road area, while he was going to his clinic from Killi Ibrahimzai.
Talking to reporters, Dr Rasool said that the kidnappers had tied his hands and feet had been tied with ropes. “I spent very painful days during captivity,” he said. It could not be confirmed if Dr Rasool had been released after payment of ransom or because of intervention by influential tribal elders.