FAISALABAD, Sept 26: The local chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has divided into two groups over the issue of launching a protest movement against the introduction of the Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP) as scores of doctors have refused to take part in token strikes and demonstrations.

A group of 11 doctors in a statement here on Sunday claimed that they were performing their duties in basic health units under the PRSP and satisfied with the financial package and mode of duties.

They also claimed that they had asked the local PMA leadership to abandon the protest plan in the interest of the doctors community. "But our meeting and contents of the discussion were misquoted by the Faisalabad PMA president which is unjustified," they said.

Those who issued the statement in favour of PRSP are Dr Jawed Ashiq, Dr Azmat Abbas, Dr Mudassar Ghaffar, Dr Abdul Raheem Asif, Dr Amjad Yaseen, Dr Saleem Nawaz, Dr Mudassar Yaseen, Dr Asif Latif, Dr Shahid Nadeem, Dr Rashid Saleem and Dr Asif Jawed.

Local PMA President Dr Mohammad Tufail had earlier claimed that the doctors who were recruited under the PRSP had assured the body that they would boycott their duties. But his claim proved futile after the issuance of a press statement by the doctors.

According to PMA insiders, there are differences among the doctors community for launching a movement against the PRSP because a group of doctors had a soft corner for the plan.

The doctors in favour of the programme are of the view that a lucrative package of Rs30,000 per month with a vehicle and other fringe benefits was in the interest of young and energetic doctors who were running from pillar to post to get petty jobs, they said.

Sources said the call given by the PMA for a protest campaign had failed to get due response from the doctors community. No worth mentioning protest demonstration has so far been staged despite opposition and efforts during the last one month.

The Punjab government had introduced PRSP with financial assistance of some NGOs and appointed a senior government officer as its coordinator in Faisalabad to modernize the rural health centres and provide better medical care to the rural population. Doctors have also been offered a lucrative salary package under this programme, and the plan has been started in the district despite a protest call by the PMA.

ELECTED: Faiq Jawed has been elected unopposed the chairman of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association for the year 2004-2005. Waseem Latif was elected unopposed senior vice-chairman while Sajjad Haider Cheema and Abdul Shakoor were elected vice-chairmen unopposed.