A planned protest rally by the Young Doctors Association (YDA) from Sandeman Provincial Hospital to Quetta’s Red Zone was postponed after police sealed the hospital premises and blocked access routes, preventing doctors from marching in support of their demands, association officials said on Tuesday.
A heavy police deployment surrounded Sandeman Provincial Hospital, with entry and exit points cordoned off, effectively stopping YDA members from taking out the announced rally.
Speaking to reporters, YDA President Dr. Hae Baloch said the rally had been deferred for four days because of the police restrictions, but maintained that the association would proceed with its planned protest sit-in in the Red Zone.
He said the association would continue its campaign until its demands were met, including the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the acid attack on female doctor Dr. Mah Nur Nasar at Sandeman Provincial Hospital.
Dr. Baloch also reiterated the association’s demand for the immediate transfer of the provincial health secretary and the medical superintendent of Sandeman Provincial Hospital, alleging that the authorities had failed to address the incident adequately.
He accused the government of attempting to suppress the protest by citing the prevailing law and order situation as a justification for the security measures.
The YDA president said the association would not withdraw its protest until a judicial inquiry into the acid attack was constituted and its demands regarding the transfer of the two officials were fulfilled.