KP Doctors Announce Pen-Down Strike Over Salary Increase Demand

The Neutral Doctors Forum has announced a pen-down strike at government hospitals across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with young doctors demanding a 30 percent increase in salaries.

The forum, which represents house officers and trainee medical officers, said the strike marks the second phase of its ongoing protest, which has entered its 17th day.

Under the new phase, emergency services will continue, while doctors will hold a central protest demonstration at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar.

Forum Chairman Dr. Adnan Afridi announced the decision during a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday. Other representatives of the forum were also present.

According to Afridi, around 6,000 doctors across KP have been participating in the protest for the past 17 days. He said doctors continued providing emergency and outpatient department (OPD) services during the initial phase to minimize disruption to patients.

Afridi claimed that despite the ongoing protest, the provincial government and Health Department had not formally contacted the doctors to discuss their demands.

He further said that when representatives of the forum approached the Health Department, they were told that doctors were not required.

The forum chairman said the response had increased concerns among doctors and called for the authorities to engage with the medical community to address the issue.

The doctors are seeking a 30 percent salary increase and have urged the provincial government to take steps toward resolving their demands.