RAWALPINDI, Dec 6: The Punjab government is having second thoughts about its decision to regularize doctors working on contract basis, well-placed sources in the health department said.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had earlier this year announced that all doctors working on contract basis would be regularized to give them job security. About 3,700 doctors working throughout the Punjab were to benefit from this decision. However, the decision could not be implemented despite lapse of several months.

During one of the recent meetings, which was attended by chief secretary, health secretary, planning and development secretary, finance secretary, law secretary and the provincial health minister, the chief minister asked for the implementation status of the promise he had made with the doctors.

However, much to his surprise he was told that such a move was impossible and was not in the interest of the working of the health care system of the province.

The sources aware with the proceedings of the meeting said the bureaucracy tried its level best to convince the chief minister that a doctor, whose job is not secure, was more useful and productive rather than the one who was permanently employed and hence with a secure job.

However, the provincial health minister, Dr Tahir Ali Javed, defended the chief minister's decision regarding regularization of doctors and stated that if contractual doctors were more suitable for the health care system then a bureaucracy hired on contract would be more appropriate for running the affairs of the province.

Since the chief minister remained unconvinced and the health minister was opposed to the bureaucracy's plan the meeting regarding regularization of doctors remained inconclusive.

It has been decided that the matter would be taken up once again on the return of the chief minister from his visit to India. However, the doctors are afraid that the bureaucracy may force the chief minister to change his decision.

In view of these apprehensions, various chapters of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) have launched a campaign to stop the chief minister from reversing his decision.

PMA Rawalpindi-Islamabad Chapter on Monday formed an action committee in this regard which would chalk out a course of action. The local chapter had earlier written a letter to the chief minister reminding him of his promise.

A carefully worded memorandum said: "It is hoped that bureaucratic hurdles might not sabotage the decision of the chief minister to regularize the doctors." A source close to the health minister, however, sounded a bit positive and said some development was expected next week.