Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Wednesday took notice of an attack by lawyers on the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore.
The chief minister ordered an investigation into the attack and summoned a report from the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) and provincial secretary of specialised health and medical education. The premier summoned a report from the provincial chief secretary and inspector general.
The lawyers were protesting against a video that went viral on social media yesterday, in which a doctor is seen narrating an encounter with some lawyers in front of a group. According to the doctor, a group of lawyers had gone to the inspector general and told him to charge "two doctors" under Section 7 of ATA. He narrated that the IG had refused while the lawyers had urged him to press charges, saying "they could save face" that way.
Broken glass inside PIC after protesting lawyers entered the premises. ─ DawnNewsTV
A large number of lawyers gathered outside PIC on Wednesday. The protest, however, turned violent as the lawyers initially closed off entry and exit points to the hospital. According to reports and footage, the protesters also damaged equipment inside, and broke windows of the hospital as well as cars parked outside. Protesters smashed doors of emergency theatres and staff had to run out to save themselves, according to reports.
Patients, some in ambulances, were unable to reach the hospital while those receiving treatment were left unattended due to the chaos.
The lawyers also attacked media personnel on the site with stones. A
DawnNewsTV female reporter, Kinza Malik, was injured and her phone was snatched from her.
Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hasan Chauhan, who had arrived at the hospital, said that "lawyers had tried to kidnap" him. In a video, he is seen being manhandled by a group of protesting lawyers.
Police is using tear gas and baton charge in an attempt to disperse the lawyers.
Lahore DIG Operations also arrived at the hospital. He said that those who took the law into their own hands will be dealt with strongly.
Young Consultants Association announced a nationwide strike after the violent protest. President of the YCA Dr Hammad Butt said that tomorrow no consultant will be on duty all across Punjab.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1521675/c...ttack-siege-of-punjab-institute-of-cardiology
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1. Buzdar needs to resign. He seems unable to do anything other than take notice.
2. The police officers who stood by and watched and their senior officers who have created and sustained this culture of "don't take action against anyone powerful" need to be sacked.