QUETTA: Local authorities and the police refused to grant permission to protesting nurses to hold a rally on Wednesday.

The nurses associated with state-run hospitals have been on a strike for the past three days to press the government for the acceptance of their demands.

The nurses, who kept themselves away from duty for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, pledged that the strike would continue until their demands were met.

“Surgeries are being delayed in Civil and BMC [Bolan Medical College] hospitals due to the strike,” a senior official of Civil Hospital said.

Striking nurses of both the main government hospitals of the provincial capital Quetta gathered in the protesting camp in the Civil Hospital. They wanted to take out a rally but were told by the local administration and police officials that due to imposition of Section 144 they could not take out any procession and rally.

However, they were allowed to continue their protest within the premises of the hospital.

Balochistan Nursing Association and Nurses Action Committee, however, deplored the action of the government.

“We would continue struggle to get our demands accepted,” said a leader of the protesting nurses.

It was learnt here that Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri had invited the leaders of striking nurses and paramedics but due to his pressing schedule, the meeting could not be held.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2017