PESHAWAR: The young doctors on Thursday boycotted duties, held a protest demonstration outside the provincial assembly building and blocked Khyber Road for about two hours against the government for failing to release their salaries.

The doctors led by Young Doctors Association (YDA) president Dr Rizwan Kundi took out a procession from Lady Reading Hospital and observed a sit-in outside the assembly.

The protesters also offered Zuhr prayers on the road which led to severe traffic jam on different roads.

Dr Kundi said that the demands pertained to release of the pending salaries, provision of security to doctors, appointment of young doctors, approval of professional training, etc.

The protesters dispersed after holding negotiations with health department officials in this regard.

Later, a meeting was held at the health secretariat with secretary Dr Farooq Jameel in the chair.

The meeting was attended by adviser to the health minister Dr Jawad Wasif, health officials and YDA representatives. The young doctors informed the meeting about their demands.

The secretary informed the YDA representatives that the summary regarding creation of stipendiary slots for FCPS part-II training for July 2018 and January 2019 induction in PGMI had already been forwarded to the finance department.

Besides, a notification regarding inductees of FCPS part-II (January 2019) will also be issued till Jan 23, the health secretary assured.

It was decided that YDA would produce its draft proposals regarding MO act within a week after which a workable solution would jointly be worked out. The case regarding security act will also be taken up with the quarters concerned.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2019