By Sajjad Mirza
Bhimber : A consultative meeting of the newly elected Central Executive Committee of the Pakistan Medical Association Azad Kashmir was held in Bhimber under the chairmanship of Central President Dr. Wajid Ali Khan, with a large number of members in attendance.
During the meeting, participants discussed the problems faced by the medical community in Azad Kashmir and deliberated on a future course of action. The committee warned that if the government failed to accept their demands, doctors would begin a partial boycott of outpatient department (OPD) services.
According to the decision, OPD services will be boycotted for 10 to 12 hours daily from January 26. If the demands remain unmet, a complete boycott of OPD services will be observed from February 2.
Also read: Pakistan–Nepal defence ties highlighted during Nepal Army delegation visit to CASS
The meeting stressed the immediate implementation of several demands, including the payment of doctors’ pending arrears in line with the decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Participants also called for the unfreezing of the three-tier and four-tier promotion formula and the immediate holding of selection boards for all cadres.
Other demands included the prompt conduct of Public Service Commission examinations for all vacant doctors’ posts and necessary legislation to regularise long-serving ad hoc doctors. The committee further demanded immediate legislation to ensure the security of hospital staff, particularly doctors, and the resolution of other related legal issues.
The meeting also called for the creation of specialist posts in various medical fields, the establishment of tertiary care hospitals affiliated with medical colleges at the divisional level in Azad Kashmir, and the creation of posts in all essential departments within these hospitals.
The Central Executive Committee unanimously approved the inclusion of Dr. Mazhar Iqbal Tahir and Dr. Ansar Malik as new members of the committee.
The central president was also authorised to announce the future line of action in consultation with the United Doctors Forum.
