LAHORE, June 28: On the 11th day of their province-wide strike on Thursday night, doctors in Punjab received a serious warning from the government which invoked the Essential Services Act of 1958 to “ensure uninterrupted healthcare to the patients facing doctors’ boycott for the last 11 days”.

Initially invoked for a period of one month, the act bars doctors from taking part in political or union activities.

Under the act, the head of any institute may recommend dismissal from service a doctor or an employee for violating the act.

Besides prosecution may be initiated against him/her which may result in a one-year jail term if violation is proved.