LAHORE, Jan 11: The Lahore High Court on Friday once again denied instant relief to young doctors against their removal, suspension and transfer being done by the Punjab government in response to a protest launched by the Young Doctors Association (YDA).

The court, however, sought a reply from the government on a petition filed by the association challenging actions being taken by the authorities against the doctors.

Along with their counsel, YDA representatives Nasir Abbas and Amir Bandesha told the court that ‘injustice’ by the government in Gujranwala doctors’ scuffle incident had forced the association to initiate the protest.

They said the government instead of implementing the service structure started taking unwarranted actions against young doctors. They urged the court to take notice of the alleged victimisation at the hands of the government authorities and issue a stay order.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan advised young doctors to get their issues resolved through a dialogue and avoid agitation. The judge remarked that torture on a senior doctor in Gujranwala was a deplorable incident which could not be ignored.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Jan 18.

Taking up another petition seeking a strict action against the protesting young doctors, Justice Ahsan sought replies from the health secretary, PMDC, PMA and YDA on the same date. Advocate Azhar Siddique filed this petition pleading that observing strikes at the cost of patients’ lives was an act of criminal negligence. He said the YDA had not only crossed the limits but also provoked certain actions which were not only in violation of fundamental rights as well as offence of sedition as stated in Section 142-A of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The petitioner said the Punjab government had placed the services of doctors in “Essential Services” as provided in the Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1958, therefore, the doctors and the government were bound to facilitate patients without any hurdle and restriction.

He prayed to the court to issue directions to PMDC and other regulatory bodies of doctors to take strict punitive action, including cancellation of practicing licences of protesting doctors.