Doctors threaten protest over kidnapped physician

The medical community across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has expressed deep concern and outrage over the sudden kidnapping of Dr Wardah, a female physician serving at the Abbottabad District Headquarters Hospital.

Doctors warned that if she is not recovered immediately, they will be compelled to launch province-wide protests.

In a joint statement, the Provincial Doctors Association and other doctors' bodies said Dr Wardah is a responsible, hardworking, and principled medical professional whose disappearance has created shock and distress among her family as well as the entire healthcare community. The organizations urged law-enforcement agencies, the district administration, and the provincial government to ensure her swift and safe recovery.

Doctors demanded a comprehensive, transparent, and time-bound investigation into the incident, along with effective and practical security measures for doctors and hospital staff to prevent future occurrences. They also called for regular updates to be shared with both the medical community and the victim's family.

The statement noted that doctors in the province are already serving under difficult circumstances, and such incidents not only damage morale but also set a dangerous precedent for the public health system.