YDA gives Punjab govt until Feb 11 to reinstate BBH MS

Warns of blocking Murree Road outside the hospital

RAWALPINDI: A representative body of doctors in Rawalpindi has extended until Monday their deadline for restoring the suspended medical superintendent of the Benazir Bhutto Hospital and of removing the provincial law minister.

The Young Doctors Association (YDA) of Rawalpindi on Thursday gave the Punjab government until February 11 to restore Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBH) Medical Superintendent Dr Tariq Niazi.

YDA BBH Wing President Dr Rana Muhammad Azeem, YDA Holy Family Hospital (HFH) Wing President Dr Ashfaq Niazi and YDA District Headquarters (DHQ) Wing President Dr Shahid Fida said that the 24-hour deadline they had given to the Punjab government has expired, but the provincial government has yet to accept their demands.

They added that Basharat had threatened to have the BBH MS removed from his post, after which not only was the hospital official suspended but is now facing an inquiry as well.

Moreover, they said that they had been provided verbal assurances from the Punjab government officials that their demands will be met but this has not happened so far.

They added that they have decided to hold a fully-fledged protest and that the Punjab government will be responsible for any consequence.

The YDA has set February 11 as the new deadline for the provincial government. In case the government fails to comply by then, the YDA has announced plans to block Murree road outside BBH.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2019.