'Mass casualty' alert? Pakistan hospitals clear beds ahead of PTI protest
Islamabad hospitals have been ordered to prepare for mass casualties ahead of a planned political protest by Imran Khan's party, PTI. The directive includes postponing elective surgeries and recalling staff, amid a broader crackdown on the party's leadership.
Why it matters
The preemptive medical preparations suggest significant government concern regarding potential violence and civil unrest during the upcoming political demonstrations.
Hospitals in Islamabad have allegedly been ordered to prepare for a possible “humanitarian crisis” and “mass casualty incident” ahead of a planned September 27 protest by jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).The instructions to Islamabad hospitals called for all scheduled elective surgeries to be postponed indefinitely and surgical departments to be prepared for a possible surge in patients, according to documents reviewed by Drop Site.Medical and support staff were ordered to remain available, with all forms of leave suspended. Hospitals were also told to recall employees who were already on leave.The measures were issued ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 march, which the party says is intended to demand Khan’s release.The preparations have already affected patients.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in