LAHORE, March 6: The Pakistan Medical Association on Thursday re-launched its protest campaign by organizing hunger strike against the delay in implementation of Mujaddid Mirza Commission report and reversal of penalties handed down to doctors.

The PMA office-bearers, besides leaders of the Joint Action Committee of teachers, doctors and students, Islami Jamiat-i-Tulaba and Muslim Students Federation, Awami National Front, Khaksar Tehrik and others participated in the hunger strike from 11:30am to 2pm. Heavy contingent of police was deployed at the Charing Cross.

The protesters chanted slogans against the government for not fulfilling its promises. They demanded that the chief minister should fulfil his promises by reinstating teachers and doctors besides withdrawing the penalties imposed on other doctors.

They also chanted slogans against US President Bush for hurling war threats at Iraq.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Yasmin Rashid said the government should immediately abolish the boards of governors in autonomous institutions and posts of principal executive officers.

She said the government should make medical education and treatment affordable.

The government was working on a policy to privatize public hospitals under the pressure of donor agencies. It had also increased admission and tuition fees for MBBS students by 600 per cent.

Mr Hasnain said the JAC and the PMA had launched protest campaign against the government polices and suspended it when the chief minister constituted Mujaddid Mirza Commission.

The chief minister had also announced reinstatement of the sacked teachers and a doctor, he added.