Students protest against PMC MDCAT enters 12th day in Balochistan
Syed Ali Shah :
Students protest against the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) entered 12th day on Friday in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. Hundreds of students staged a sit-in near Liaquat Park to protest against the PMC. Police registered FIR against 75 students for entering into the Red Zone, inflicting damages to official property, etc.
“Over a dozen of our colleagues injured in police action”, Aurangzai, one of the protesters told Quetta Voice. However, police accused the students of pelting stones at policemen deployed at the main GPO chowk. “They started pelting stones at police”, Zohaib Siddiqui, the Assistant Commissioner Quetta city said.
Langove takes notice of the incident
Home Minister Balochistan, Ziaullah Langove has taken notice of violence against students. He directed the concerned quarters to conduct an impartial inquiry of the incident. “Justice would be done with students”, Mr. Langove said.
Students demanding cancellation of PMC tests
The protesters have been demanding the cancellation of medical entry tests conducted by the PMC across Balochistan. “The tests were out of course”, Basit Khan Panezai, another protesting student lamented.
Spokesman government of Balochistan, Liaquat Shahwani also took to Twitter and clarified the position of the provincial government. “We will take up the issue of students with PMC”, Mr. Shahwani assured.
Students from Kharan, Gwadar, Kech, Pishin, Killa Abdullah and other parts of Balochistan gathered in Quetta to protest against the test. Late night, police also detained dozens of students in the Rod Zone area of Quetta.
“This is wake up call for the rulers”, Sanuallah Baloch, the Balochistan National Party (Mengal), MPA said. Mr. Baloch joined the protesting students and extended his full support. He also met students detained at civil line police station in Quetta.
Government should break criminal silence
“Government of Balochistan must break criminal silence and address the grievances of students”, Sanaullah Baloch stated.
PMC has launched countrywide tests for entry in medical tests since Septebmer 1st. Most of the students across the country could not qualify the test because of what they claim ‘it was out of course’.
Worst traffic jam in Quetta as a result of ongoing protest by students. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed on Jinnah Road, Anscomb road and other parts of the city. “Rulers should take notice of this protest”, Muhammad Usman, a rickshaw driver demanded.
Journalist Manan Mandokhail and Iqbal Kakar contributed to this report
