KARACHI, March 18: A ‘black day’ would be observed on March 22 throughout the country to protest against the targeted killings of doctors in Karachi and to condemn the government for failing to provide security to the people and arrest the killers.

This was decided at a meeting of the central executive council of Pakistan Medical Association. The meeting also announced a countrywide token hunger strike on March 30.

The hunger strike would be followed by a nationwide strike of doctors and paramedical staff on April 8, for the same reasons.

President PMA Sindh, Dr Hadi Bukhsh Jatoi announced this on Monday, while speaking at a protest meeting held at the PMA House to condemn the targeted killings of doctors, lawyers, social workers and intellectuals.

President PMA Karachi Prof. Tipu Sultan demanded of the government to take notice of doctors’ protest and adopt urgent measures for the arrest and trial of killers.

Noted playwright, Fatima Surraya Bajya condemned the killings and said they appeared to be aimed at spreading unrest and insecurity among the country’s messiahs.

Chairman, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Dr Agha Jawaid endorsing the PMA’s decision, said that doctors and paramedical staff at all the public and private hospitals, medical colleges, clinics and health centres, would wear black arm-bands and display black banners on Friday to register their protest against delay in apprehending doctors’ killers.