QUETTA: The Balochistan Health Department has suspended 23 young doctors who participated in an ongoing strike, as the provincial government intensified action to restore normal operations at public healthcare facilities.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Media Shahid Rind said that show-cause notices have also been served to 25 officers, while the postgraduate training registrations of five doctors have been suspended.
According to the provincial government, strikes and the closure of healthcare institutions providing essential medical services are unlawful under existing judicial directives. Authorities have therefore initiated a formal inquiry to examine the matter.
Officials announced that all government hospitals and health facilities across Balochistan will continue to operate without interruption, warning that disciplinary measures will be taken against employees absent from essential duties.
On the recommendation of senior medical professionals, the government has established a high-level review committee to assess the security environment in public health institutions. The committee will comprise senior doctors, provincial government representatives, health department officials, and security personnel.
The government emphasized that healthcare is a critical public service directly linked to saving lives and said any actions that disrupt medical services or violate service regulations would not be tolerated.
Authorities also reiterated their commitment to maintaining uninterrupted healthcare delivery and institutional discipline while working to address the legitimate concerns of doctors and improve the province’s health system.
Officials added that transparent and impartial investigations would be conducted to determine the facts and responsibilities in all related cases, stressing that legal procedures and service rules would be upheld throughout the process.
