MUZAFFARABAD: Doctors in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have warned of a province-wide protest starting January 26, 2026, if the government fails to address their long-standing and legitimate demands, the United Doctors Forum (UDF) announced at a press conference on January 10.
The UDF—an umbrella body of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and Young Doctors Association (YDA)—spoke through its chairman Dr Wajid Khan and general secretary Dr Arshad Raja, who also head PMA and YDA respectively. They were joined by other office-bearers including Dr Waqar Butt, Dr Basharat Hayat, Dr Aamir Ikram, Dr Raja Imtiaz, and Dr Bilal Ahmed.
The leaders expressed deep frustration over years of inaction that have strained the healthcare system and demoralized medical professionals. They said doctors had exhausted all peaceful avenues for resolution, yet issues continue to worsen.
آزادکشمیر میں ڈاکٹرز نے ہڑتال ، اوپی ڈیز بند کرنے کی دھمکی دیدیhttps://t.co/RoWhhTBL4N pic.twitter.com/CsDNDfIBBp
— Kashmir Digital (@KashmirDigital1) January 9, 2026
Key Highlights
- Promotion mechanism collapsed since 2019, leaving many doctors without advancement and some retiring unpromoted.
- No permanent director general of health appointed; department run on additional charge basis.
- Financial benefits and allowances unpaid since June 2022, despite Supreme Court verdict.
- Acute shortages of modern equipment, with only one MRI machine across AJK and outdated machines from 2009 still in use.
- Security threats to women doctors and paramedics, plus unfair inquiries and police action in hospital violence cases.
- Two-hour open strike starting January 26 (OPDs closed, emergencies open); full shutdown possible after February 2 if demands unmet.
- Over 1,200 doctors expected to join the protest.
Deep-Rooted Issues in Healthcare System
Dr Khan highlighted administrative failures, noting a chief secretary-led committee has not held a single effective meeting in three years. He criticized the slow progress on medical college infrastructure, including dilapidated conditions at Poonch Medical College and delayed construction at Mirpur Medical College.
The leaders also raised alarms over the health card policy, saying doctors were excluded from decisions and that including private hospitals without proper checks could waste public funds.
Additional concerns include non-regularization of long-serving contract doctors, delayed recruitments through the Public Service Commission, and lack of residential facilities and incentives for those in remote areas.
Call for Urgent Action
The UDF leaders stressed that these unresolved matters have pushed the health sector toward crisis. They urged the AJK government to act swiftly to avoid disruption in services and restore morale among doctors who serve the public tirelessly.
As the January 26 deadline approaches, the situation underscores the urgent need for dialogue and concrete steps to strengthen healthcare delivery across AJK. The doctors remain hopeful that meaningful progress can prevent escalation.
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