QUETTA: The doctors’ strike against the kidnappings for ransom and targeted killings of doctors in Balochistan entered its 26th day here on Monday, DawnNews reported.

The strike was announced by the Balochistan chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) to protest against the abduction of renowned eye specialist Dr Saeed Ahmed Khan and calling for his recovery.

However, despite the orders of the Balochistan High Court, Dr Khan, who was abducted on Oct 16 by unidentified armed men from Quetta’s Sariab Road, could not be recovered even after 26 days had passed.

General operation theatres and out-patient departments in state hospitals remained close due to the strike, causing severe difficulties for patients who had travelled from far-flung areas.

However, privately-run hospitals and clinics remained open.

The affected patients lamented that they were being punished for the abductors’ sins.

According to the statistics collected by the PMA, 27 doctors in Balochistan had been released after being abducted for ransom, whereas over 12 doctors had been made the victims of targeted killings.