Police, young doctors clash in Islamabad

Law-enforcers baton charge, tear gas students protesting against NLE

ISLAMABAD:

Police and young doctors on Tuesday clashed outside the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) building in Islamabad as the latter were protesting against the government’s move to make the National Licensing Examination (NLE) mandatory for registration.

Initially, the protesters, who had gathered from around the country since morning, chanted slogans against the PMC. They also planned to block the Srinagar Highway if their demands were not met.

In the afternoon, the police baton-charged and used tear gas against them as some of them pelted stones at the law enforcers and tried to break inside the building. Several young doctors and policemen were injured in the clash.

The police also rounded up around 15 protesters and used force to disperse the others, read a statement issued by the Young Doctors Association (YDA).

The association claimed that the protest was peaceful until the police resorted to violence.

YDA Chairman Dr Haider Abbasi further demanded the resignation of PMC Vice President Ali Raza.

According to a statement issued by the Islamabad police, the protesters attempted to break into the PMC building and vandalise the property.

The police said some “miscreants” pelted them with stones, injuring the SP Saddar Zone.

They added that the tear gas was used to stop and disperse the protesters to prevent damage to the government property.

“Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen but damage to the government property could never be allowed,” it added.

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The YDA then issued an ultimatum to the government to order the release of the arrested doctors, threatening to go on a countrywide strike if their demand was not met.

A delegation of the YDA later met with Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, who agreed to release the detained doctors only after the protesters cleared the roads.

According to the deputy commissioner, the doctors have demanded a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan.

After a cabinet meeting, the doctors will arrange a meeting with the SAPM, stated the commissioner.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry later told reporters that the government could not register doctors without having their “fitness checked”.

“After MBBS, students have to take licensing exams. This is practiced across the world,” he added.

The PMC’s National Medical Authority (NMA) successfully conducted and concluded the first NLE across the country in August this year.

 The examination, which is mandated by law, is a prerequisite for medical and dental graduates to attain full licences to practice in the country.

A total of 1470 students appeared for the NLE Step 1 of which 1,160 passed the examination representing a 78.9% pass percentage.

The NLE is the first computer-based examination of the PMC. The digital format of the examination is part of PMC’s vision to promote transparency and meritocracy while setting international benchmarks of quality, skills, and competence.

The YDA, however, vowed last month to launch countrywide protests against the NLE as members of the medical profession are opposing the exam terming it illegal.

The YDA, other doctors, and students of medical colleges have framed a joint strategy to stop the next NLE exam that is expected to be held in December.