FAISALABAD, June 23: Doctors of Allied Hospital continued their strike on Thursday to press the government to make their appointments on permanent basis and increase their salaries. Protesting doctors also held a demonstration outside the emergency ward and chanted slogans against the government and in favour of their demands.

They threatened that they would close down the Punjab Medical College and would stage a demonstration on Jail Road if the government did not accept their demands within 24 hours.

They also announced the closure of the emergency ward after June 30 if the government failed to respond positively.

The doctors said the Public Service Commission system should also be adopted in Punjab for the appointment and selection of doctors.

The speakers demanded that the Punjab chief minister and the governor should order increase in salaries of postgraduate doctors up to Rs25,000 and house officers up to Rs15,000.

Meanwhile, patients faced problems owing to the closure of outdoor wards as well as absence of doctors from other wards.

However, medical cover was provided throughout the day only to emergency patients. Over 2,000 patients visit Allied Hospital daily from different city localities and far-flung areas of Samundari, Jaranwala, Dijkot, Satiana, Tandlianwala, Mamunkanjan, and nearby villages.