By Fazal Haq
MARDAN: The Private Paramedics Association held its annual convention at a local marriage hall, drawing a large number of participants from across the district. The event was attended by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Tariq Mehmood Ariyani, Provincial General Secretary of the Central Organization Tajiran Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zahir Shah, and other dignitaries.
Association leaders, including President Younus Khan Mohmand, Chairman Nurul Hasan, Vice President Abdul Jalil, General Secretary Abrar Hameed, Deputy General Secretary Jamil-ur-Rahman, Saeed Amazai, and Finance Secretary Arshad, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their support.
Speaking at the convention, Zahir Shah stressed the need for legislation to regularize private paramedics and called for the formation of a council to recognize their services. He noted that paramedics provide essential healthcare at the community level and have consistently supported social and developmental activities in Mardan.
MPA Tariq Mehmood Ariyani praised the role of paramedics, describing them as the backbone of the health department. He assured participants that he would raise their concerns at every forum of the Provincial Assembly to resolve legitimate issues.
Other attendees included Mardan Chamber of Commerce President Awais Khan, Markaz Tanzeem Tajiran General Secretary Waqar Ali Bacha, Mardan Chamber Vice President Haji Waheed Gul, Mardan Women Chamber representative Aqeel Sumbal, Shah Gee, and others.
Speakers urged the government to provide protection to private paramedics through concrete measures and to establish institutions that would allow them to practice legally, ensuring affordable healthcare for the poor. They criticized the double standard of permitting practice at the government level while restricting it privately, and highlighted that in emergencies such as earthquakes and floods, private paramedics have always been at the forefront of service.
