Islamabad doctors break into PMC, police baton-charge protesters

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

The police baton-charged and fired tear gas at young doctors protesting outside the Pakistan Medical Commission in Islamabad Monday afternoon.

The chaos ensued after the protesters broke into the PMC building. They broke the building's gate after which the police took action. Both the groups threw stones at each other as well.

A number of doctors and police officers were injured in the clash, SAMAA TV reported. Some protesters have been arrested as well.

Earlier in the day, Islamabad SSP Operations reached the site. He tried to negotiate with the protesters but failed. "We won't end the protests until and unless our demands are met," the demonstrators said.

Following the talks, the protesters tried to enter the PMC building.

Why are doctors protesting?

Hundreds of young doctors across the country have been protesting against the PMC. The demonstrators have demanded that the compulsion of the National Licensing Exam should be revoked.

The Pakistan Medical Commission has announced that in order to practice in Pakistan, doctors will have to take a licensing exam after completing five years of education.

MBBS examiners from abroad are to be tested this year. On the other hand, young doctors claim the additional examination was unfair as they had already passed the same exam to obtain their MBBS degrees.

Consequently, doctors across the country boycotted OPDs at government hospitals.