Traders and doctors in Rajanpur on Tuesday observed a strike over the killing of a Shia doctor on Sunday night.
Pakistan Medical Association district president Dr Shama Noor had called for a boycott of all medical services in Rajanpur district and sub districts. Only the emergency wards of government hospitals remained open. Dr Noor said the situation was reminiscent of the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz government’s failure to control sectarian violence in the ‘90s. “This time they are openly supporting banned militant outfits and promoting sectarianism in the Punjab,” he said.
Doctors said they would continue the strike till the criminals responsible for the murder were arrested.
Several traders and businessmen observed a shutter down in protest against the murder. Many academic institutions also remained closed. The MWM and the Shia community organised separate protests in front of the district coordination office. They chanted slogans against the government.
Dr Azhar Hussain, 59, a senior doctor at the DHQ Hospital, was on his way home from the hospital when he was shot dead by masked assailants on a motorcycle.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2014.