Peshawar
Medical services at District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Kohat were fully restored on Friday after successful negotiations between a high-level government delegation and protesting doctors, while senior officials also visited the family of a police constable killed in a recent militant attack, pledging justice and support.
The government delegation, led by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Khaliq ur Rehman, included Special Assistant on Information Shafi Jan, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Advocate, MPA Daud Afridi, Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Motasim Billah Shah and Deputy Commissioner Kohat Muhammad Nawaz Wazir.
The team visited the DHQ Hospital Kohat where they held detailed talks with the representatives of the Young Doctors Association, paramedical staff and hospital administration following the killing of Dr. Mehwish, which had triggered protests and suspension of services.
During the meeting, the government announced a martyrs’ package for the slain doctor and assured her family of full support and transparent justice. Authorities also pledged immediate and effective measures to strengthen hospital security to ensure a safe environment for medical staff.
Following the successful negotiations, doctors and hospital staff agreed to restore all services, bringing relief to patients in Kohat and surrounding areas.
The Health Minister also reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, stating that work on a 1,000-bed modern hospital for Kohat, announced by the Chief Minister, would be expedited. He further announced the early installation of CT Scan and MRI machines at DHQ Hospital.
Earlier in the day, senior government and public representatives visited Isa Khel Kachai to offer condolences to the family of Constable Syed Amir Abbas, who was among those killed in a firing incident targeting a police mobile on Kohat–Shakardara Road.
Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam, Special Assistant Shafi Jan, MPA and District Development Advisory Committee Chairman Daud Afridi and Tehsil Chairman Gumbat Sajid Iqbal expressed sympathy with the bereaved family, offered fateha and assured them that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.
Officials said the attack resulted in the martyrdom of seven people, including five police personnel and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order and supporting the families of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
