Withheld Salaries: Clash erupts at YDA protest; seven hurt

QUETTA: At least seven doctors were injured and another 10 were arrested when a clash erupted during a protest by the Young Doctors Association (YDA). According to police, the protestors were trying to enter the Red-Zone – the area of the city where key government buildings including the provincial assembly, Governor House and the Chief Minister House are located. However, SHO Civil Lines Ameen Jaffar said not a single doctor was injured in the clash that occurred because the protesters were trying to enter the restricted area. The YDA, protesting against the Health Department for not paying their salaries for the past nine months, staged a sit-in at Liaquat Park Chowk. “It was a peaceful protest until police opened fire on the protesters, injuring seven innocent doctors,” YDA President Dr Hafeez said announcing boycott of OPD.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2016.