GILGIT: The local people continued the protest sit-in in Khaplu area of Ghanche district for second consecutive day on Wednesday, while a shutter down strike was also observed in protest against shortage of doctors, including a gynaecologist, in the district headquarters hospital.

The protesters announced to continue the sit-in till appointment of doctors to the hospital.

A large number of local residents had staged sit-in on the Siachen Road in Khaplu, the district headquarters of Ghanche, on Tuesday.

They said being the only government health facility in the district the hospital lacked a gynaecologist and other specialist doctors.

They said many pregnant women died for want of a gynaecologist in the health facility.

They alleged that some doctors were drawing salaries without performing duty.

The protesters demanded posting of a gynaecologist and other specialist doctors to the DHQ hospital with immediate effect.

Protest demonstrations were also held in Chhorbat, Mashabrum and Daghoni areas of the district.

Commuters faced difficulties to reach their destinations due to blockade of the Siachen Road in Khapulo.

Shops and business centres also remained shut during the day in the district.

Civil society members from the district living in Islamabad also staged a protest sit-in outside the National Press club in solidarity with the protesters.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2021