National Party backs protesting doctors in Balochistan

Quetta: The National Party (NP) President, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, has pledged his backing to the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan and protesting doctors, addressing their concerns over heavy taxes imposed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Balochistan Revenue Authority (BRA), as well as the AI-based attendance system. On Friday, a delegation from the PMA Balochistan and the Quetta Zone met with Dr Baloch to discuss the challenges faced by doctors in the province.

Dr Naeem Zarkoon, President of PMA Balochistan, along with other officials including General Secretary Dr Zarak Muhammad Shahi, Joint Secretary Dr Ahmed Abbas, and spokesperson Dr Abdullah Wardag, presented their concerns to Dr Baloch. These included the difficulties arising from the new taxation imposed by the FBR and BRA. The delegation emphasized the gravity of the issue, highlighting how these taxes are causing significant problems for the medical community.

While the PMA strongly opposes absenteeism and believes that every doctor should carry out their professional duties, they expressed reservations about the current AI-based attendance system. According to the delegation, this system does not accurately reflect the practical realities of working in Balochistan and is creating additional hurdles, even for doctors who regularly fulfill their duties.