KARACHI: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) staged a black ribbon protest today, voicing strong opposition to alleged biased recruitment and unfair faculty promotions at JPMC, reportedly orchestrated under the influence of Vice Chancellor Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), Dr. Amjad Siraj.
Doctors from various departments participated in the demonstration, standing in solidarity with senior faculty members who have been unjustly overlooked despite their years of service, experience, and merit. The protest aimed to highlight deep-rooted favoritism and irregularities in the appointment of consultants, which YDA alleges are being manipulated under the direct instructions of the JSMU administration.
YDA JPMC strongly condemns what they describe as a systematic effort to sideline deserving faculty members in favor of individuals with political and personal affiliations. The association has accused Dr. Amjad Siraj, Vice Chancellor JSMU, of unfairly pressuring senior faculty members and undermining merit-based hiring.
According to Dr. Muhammad Ali, Spokesperson YDA JPMC, and Dr. Shehryar Shaikh, Senior Cabinet Member YDA JPMC, these actions are severely impacting medical education, faculty morale, and patient care at one of Karachi’s premier medical institutions.
YDA JPMC has urged PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Chief Secretary Sindh, and Health Secretary Sindh to intervene and rectify this injustice.
“If these unfair recruitment and promotion policies are not addressed, the future of medical education and healthcare standards in Karachi will suffer,” stated Dr. Ali.
Other senior doctors, including Dr. Abdul Salam, Dr. Mukhtyar, and Dr. Naik, also participated in the protest and expressed concerns over the lack of transparency, fairness, and due process in faculty hiring.
The Young Doctors Association JPMC is coordinating with senior consultants and faculty members to devise further actions, including legal challenges and intensified demonstrations, if their demands are not met.