President Pakistan Medical Association Balochistan Dr Sultan Tareen addressing a press conference at Quetta Press Club. – Online Photo (File)

QUETTA: After over a month of protesting against the abduction of their colleague, doctors have decided to extend their strike to private hospitals in troubled Balochistan province, DawnNews reported.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan chapter announced Monday a boycott of their duties in the province’s private hospitals.

Doctors in Balochistan have already been on strike in state hospitals for over a month, protesting against the abduction of renowned eye specialist Dr Saeed Ahmed Khan and calling for his recovery.

Dr Khan, who was abducted on Oct 16 by unidentified armed men from Quetta’s Sariab Road, has not yet been recovered despite orders of the Balochistan High Court.

Earlier, a number of doctors led a rally and staged sit-in at Quetta’s Zarghoon road and in front of the Chief Minister House.

The protest, led by Dr Sultan Tareen, PMA Balochistan president, started from Sandeman Civil Hospital and reached Zarghoon road where they staged a sit-in.

The atmosphere turned violent as a heavy contingent of police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Police said they had arrested at least 200 protesting doctors.

Almost 40 doctors voluntarily appeared in Civil Line police station where they were arrested. Many doctors were reported to be injured in the violent protest.

Addressing a press conference after the demonstration, members of the PMA said the government was not serious in resolving their issue.

They announced that they would not perform their duties in private hospitals even on 9th and 10th of Muharram in protest.