LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday adjourning the hearing of petition against young doctors strike till July 7, observed that it was expected that they would resume work in hospitals' emergencies from Saturday morning as a goodwill gesture.
The court also directed the Punjab government to restrain from harassing doctors, especially those who would resume work in hospital emergencies.
The court further sought record of the case registered against 8 doctors of the Mayo Hospital by tomorrow (Saturday) besides summoning the investigation officer .
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan passed the orders on a petition filed by Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest litigation firm.
Earlier, YDA representatives including Doctor Syed Nasir Abbas, Dr Amir Bandesha, Dr Zeeshan Malik and Dr Waseem appeared before the court on being summoned.
YDA Secretary General Nasir Abbas submitted that the President YDA Hamid Butt could not appear before the court because account of fear of being arrested.He submitted that the YDA president would appear before the court tomorrow.
He submitted as no attention was being given to their problems ,they being disappointed over indifferent attitude of the government started agitation.
He submitted that the doctors were ready to resume work in emergencies provided directions were issued to Punjab government to refrain from harassing doctors who resume their duties.
Secretary Health Punjab Arif Nadeem assured the court that the doctors resumed work would neither be harassed nor arrested.
He said that doctors were observing strike in OPDs for over two weeks causing hardships and difficulties for patients.
He submitted that 90 percent patients approached OPDs first and later they were referred to other departments.
He said that all available resources were being used to keep the OPDs open.
The YDA representatives submitted that their four colleagues had been arrested in a murder case.They submitted that the Punjab government assured to convert charges against doctors from section 302 to 322 but it was not fulfilled. They further said that the accused doctors' remand was extended till July 9.
Pakistan Medical & Dental Council's counsel Dr Abdul Basit said that the PMDC had powers to discipline doctors and doctors' conduct was against law.
The petitioner's counsel said that doctors could not be allowed to usurp fundamental rights of other to get their demand accepted.
The court after hearing arguments of all parties observed it was expected that the young doctors would resume work in hospital emergencies from Saturday morning as a goodwill gesture.
The court directed PMDc's counsel and YDA counsel to file their replies in the matter by July 9.
The petitioner, in his petition, contended that doctors' strike was not only against PMDC's code of ethics but also a violation of fundamental human rights.
He pleaded the court that directions be issued to PMDC to cancel licenses of young doctors.
He also prayed that the young doctors be held responsible for the deaths (if any) occurred due to their strike.
Later, talking to media YDA representative Nasir Abbas said that doctors would resume work in emergencies if Punjab government restrained from taking action against them.
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