Islamabad police on Tuesday baton charged and arrested at least a dozen young doctors who were protesting outside the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC).
Doctors from across the country were protesting outside the PMC building against making the National Licensing Examination (NLE) compulsory. However, the police took action after they tried to enter the building premises.
In order to disperse the protesters, police used tear gas and baton-charged them.
The situation turned ugly when protesters reportedly hurled stones and police returned the compliment and later baton charged them. Several policemen and doctors were injured during the clash.
In August, PMC’s National Medical Authority (NMA) conducted and concluded the first NLE across the country. The examinations were held in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi.
The NLE has been made a prerequisite for medical and dental graduates to get full licenses to practice in Pakistan.
Pakistan medical graduates who pass the NLE will be eligible on completion of their house jobs to apply and receive license to practice medicine.
However, doctors argue that they already have to take several highly competitive professional examinations and dozens of viva and practical annually. The sudden imposition of an extra NLE to get a medical licence is draconian, they argue.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad agreed to release the arrested doctors on the condition that they will leave the area along with their colleagues.
A five-member delegation is holding talks with Islamabad DC.
According to the DC, the doctors demanded a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan.
After the cabinet meeting, the doctors will arrange a meeting with the SAPM, stated the commissioner.
