K-P doctors demand 100% pay hike
The Provincial Doctors Association has issued a two-week deadline to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, demanding a 100 per cent increase in salaries to match soaring inflation, warning that services will be suspended in phases if their demands are ignored.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, association chairman Dr Zubair announced that if the government fails to raise salaries in proportion to current inflation, healthcare services will first be halted at divisional headquarters hospitals, followed by all hospitals across the province in the second week.
The warning came after doctors staged a protest demonstration outside Peshawar Press Club. Dr Zubair was accompanied by association president Dr Aamer Taj, joint secretary Dr Yasar, and Dr Fazal Manan.
Dr Zubair demanded an end to political interference in hospitals and called for a 100 per cent salary hike in the upcoming provincial budget, noting that doctor salaries have remained frozen since 2016. He also demanded an end to nepotism, corruption, and cronyism in the health department, insisting on merit-based appointments.
"The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has not given any substantial pay raise to doctors; instead, new taxes are being imposed on them daily," Dr Zubair said. He pointed out that salaries for specialists, administrative staff, teaching cadres, house officers, and medical officers remain at 2016 levels while inflation has skyrocketed.
He also accused the FBR and Healthcare Commission of collecting extortionate fees from doctors under the guise of registration, licensing, and training. Dr Zubair alleged that the DG Health office has deliberately delayed doctor promotions for several years, demanding action against responsible officials and an immediate special promotion board meeting.
Appealing directly to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the health minister, Dr Zubair said: "Today, a doctor is working for Rs50,000 to 60,000, while private hospitals pay even less at Rs40,000 to 45,000. We are ashamed to state these figures. Despite our low salaries, the government regularly deducts thousands in taxes."