Threats to doctors: PMA warns of protests if not given security

Two doctors have been targeted by assailants in the last one week

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has threatened to organise a countrywide protest movement if the government does not provide better security to doctors.

The extortion mafia in the city has increased its activities and many senior doctors have left Karachi due to constant threats. Most of the harassed doctors silently paid the extortion money without reporting the matter, they said.

"We are not given protection," Dr Qaiser Sajjad, a PMA office-bearer, told The Express Tribune. "Sixteen doctors have been targeted this year." He said that the PMA will stage protests across the country if the government failed to provide better security to doctors.

Two doctors have been targeted in Karachi in the last week. Abbasi Shaheed Hospital’s Dr Arif Mustafa was shot dead by unidentified persons in Bufferzone on Saturday. On Thursday, Dow University of Health Sciences assistant professor Muhammad Zubair barely survived an attack near Rangoonwala Hall and Community Centre.

"I have no idea. I will say nothing," replied Bahadurabad SHO Zaibunnisa when asked about the latter incident. On the other hand, Bahadurabad DSP Ali Muhammad Khosa confirmed the incident and said that the police was investigating the case. Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Dahar said that measures were being taken for doctors’ security.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2014.