LAHORE, July 3: Dozens of relatives of the protesting young doctors lodged protest on Tuesday at Liberty Chowk against the Punjab government and demanded immediate release of the arrested medics.

During the hour-long protest, the protesters criticised the provincial government’s policy of handling the strike and the medics’ service structure issue through use of force. The families of the arrested doctors also participated in the agitation.

The protesters were of the view that the chief minister and his cabinet should immediately bring the striking doctors on the dialogue table to resolve the issue.

They said the police crackdown and lodging of criminal cases against the young doctors would destroy their future.

Meanwhile, on the call of Pakistan Medical Association, Punjab chapter, doctors observed a ‘black day’ on Tuesday and black flags were hoisted on the PMA’s provincial, district and tehsil offices.

In a statement, the PMA Punjab office-bearers condemned the arrest of association’s senior leader from Bahawalpur division and termed it another example of terrorism.

PMA Punjab secretary general Dr Abrar Ashraf said the ‘criminal action’ against young doctors and his association’s leader reflected bad governance in Punjab.