QUETTA: The Balochistan chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) threatened on Thursday that doctors serving in government and private hospitals would go on an indefinite strike on Friday if Dr Din Mohammad Bangulzai was not freed from the captivity of kidnappers within 24 hours.

Addressing a press conference, PMA’s provincial president Dr Sultan Tareen said the government would be responsible for its repercussions if Dr Bangulzai, a surgeon affiliated with Bolan Medical College, did not return safely within 24 hours.

Accompanied by BMC principal Dr Shahnaz Baloch, the PML leader said the Private Doctors’ Association had assured them of cooperation in the their strike against the kidnapping of Dr Bangulzai.

The BMC surgeon was taken away by armed men on Sunday when he was coming to Quetta from Mastung.On Wednesday, the kidnappers contacted the family of Dr Bangulzai and demanded a ransom of Rs8 million for his release.

Dr Tareen regretted that despite the passage of five days law-enforcement agencies had failed to trace the whereabouts of Dr Bangulzai.

He said private hospitals would not receive any patients in their emergency wards during the strike, though doctors in government hospitals would continue to perform emergency duties.

“Several doctors have been kidnapped and some have even been killed, but no action has been taken against the culprits,” he said, adding that killers and kidnappers were striking with impunity.

He said it was a matter of concern that Dr Bangulzai had been kidnapped from the constituency of Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani.

Dr Tareen alleged that government officials and ministers could be involved in the kidnapping incidents in the province.