Doctors threaten to tender joint resignation if kidnappers not caught

Munaf Tareen’s brother claims the kidnappers are on the payroll of security agencies.

QUETTA: Doctors at state-run hospitals in Balochistan have warned the government that they will tender their resignations if the government failed to ensure safe recovery of cardiologist Dr Munaf Tareen and provide effective security to the medical profession.

A group of armed men had kidnapped Dr Tareen on September 17 in front of his heart hospital at the Pishin bus stop right in the heart of Quetta city. He is the 26th doctor in Balochistan who has been kidnapped for ransom during the past couple of years.

As many as 84 doctors have so far migrated from Balochistan because of threats to their lives and property. They are either living in other parts of the country or have gone abroad.  More doctors want to leave Balochistan at the first opportunity in the wake of deteriorating law and order situation.

Addressing a news conference Dr Haqdad Tareen, chairman of doctors’ steering committee, said they had two two crucial decisions: “Doctors will establish a force for their security since the government is unable to take action against kidnappers and murderers. Second, doctors will jointly tender their resignations because they consider it better to stay alive rather than be victims of targeted killing and kidnapping,” he told the media.

He said at least 18 doctors have been killed in targeted shooting and 26 kidnapped by armed groups but not a single group involved has so far been arrested.

“We know that vehicles used in these criminal activities are owned by civilians who are on payroll of security agencies. Government should ban the vehicles with tinted glasses and bearing no number plates.” he said.

Responding to a query about who was behind these kidnapping, Haqdad said doctors the government knew that. “The kidnappers of Dr Munaf Tareen had made last contact on October 3 and since then there has been complete silence. I do not know who they are. But they said on phone that Dr Munaf is in their captivity,” he said.

Home Minister Sardar Sarfraz Bugti said law enforcement agencies are trying hard to ensure safe recovery of kidnapped doctor. “Investigations are under way to trace the kidnappers,” he told the reporters.