Nurses' efforts pay off: Punjab govt announces three year contracts
The protest entered into its sixth day on Saturday, when the Punjab government made this announcement.
Nurses hold the protest at Mall Road on Saturday. PHOTO: ONLINE
LAHORE:
Nurses protesting against the Health Department for firing those who had been working on ad-hoc basis, were granted three year contracts by the Punjab government on Saturday, Express News reported.
In what could be termed a victory, the nurses will be required to pass the public service commission exams at the end of the three year contract to become eligible for a permanent post.
In the event that the nurses under this contract fail to pass PCS exam, their contract will stand dissolved at the end of the three years.
The announcement came as their violence marred protest in Lahore entered its sixth day on Saturday.
On Friday, a group of nurses staged a sit-in in front of the office of the nursing director general. They later rallied to The Mall to sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly, where a session was in progress. On seeing them advance towards The Mall, where protests are banned under Section 144, women police were called to stop them. Some nurses scuffled with the policewomen when they were stopped near Charring Cross.
Police baton charged the nurses to disperse them. The baton charge continued for over 10 minutes.
Two nurses were injured. One of them was later identified as Amina Bibi reported to be seven-month pregnant. They were taken to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where Amina Bibi was said to be in critical condition.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered a judicial inquiry into the violence. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health Khawja Salman Rafique told a press conference that the incident had shocked him. He said those responsible for ordering the baton charge would be held accountable.
Nurses protesting against the Health Department for firing those who had been working on ad-hoc basis, were granted three year contracts by the Punjab government on Saturday, Express News reported.
In what could be termed a victory, the nurses will be required to pass the public service commission exams at the end of the three year contract to become eligible for a permanent post.
In the event that the nurses under this contract fail to pass PCS exam, their contract will stand dissolved at the end of the three years.
The announcement came as their violence marred protest in Lahore entered its sixth day on Saturday.
On Friday, a group of nurses staged a sit-in in front of the office of the nursing director general. They later rallied to The Mall to sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly, where a session was in progress. On seeing them advance towards The Mall, where protests are banned under Section 144, women police were called to stop them. Some nurses scuffled with the policewomen when they were stopped near Charring Cross.
Police baton charged the nurses to disperse them. The baton charge continued for over 10 minutes.
Two nurses were injured. One of them was later identified as Amina Bibi reported to be seven-month pregnant. They were taken to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where Amina Bibi was said to be in critical condition.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered a judicial inquiry into the violence. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health Khawja Salman Rafique told a press conference that the incident had shocked him. He said those responsible for ordering the baton charge would be held accountable.