NOWSHEHRA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Mian Khaleeq ur Rehman Khattak has once again invited the striking Young Trainee Doctors (TMOs) for negotiations, saying the government is serious about solving their problems and wants to make their stipend not only equal to other provinces but even better. Some elements are not conveying the government’s message correctly to the doctors, which is creating misunderstandings.
Talking to media, Provincial Health Minister Mian Khaleeq ur Rehman Khattak said that TMOs have started a strike regarding their demand for an increase in stipend, while the government had increased their stipend by 15% this year. In addition, an annual 5% increase was also promised, which was to be implemented from July 1, 2026, however it took some time due to the budget process.
He said that during this time some people took advantage of the situation and started protests in hospitals, which created an unnecessary environment. The government has held negotiations with the representatives of young trainee doctors three to four times and their demands have been discussed in detail.
According to the provincial health minister, the government has also asked the doctors for names of representatives for the committee. The committee will also include the Finance Department, PGMI and Deans of various medical colleges. The committee will review the stipends given to TMOs in other provinces and will compile recommendations.
Mian Khaleeq ur Rehman Khattak said that after the committee’s recommendations come, he himself will sit with the Adviser Finance to move the matter forward and will get approval from the cabinet. “I have promised them that I will become their ambassador and fight their case myself, and will try to get all their demands approved by the end of the year.”
He said that the government’s desire is that young trainee doctors come to the negotiation table instead of going on strike and all issues be resolved together.
Mentioning the difficulties in the negotiation process, the provincial health minister said that the delegations of doctors that come for representation, negotiations with them are successful and the message is also recorded. But after going back, the same problems arise again. According to him, it is possible that the government’s position and message is not being conveyed correctly to the doctors, due to which misunderstandings arise.
Mian Khaleeq ur Rehman Khattak clarified that the government promises that the stipend of TMOs will be made equal to other provinces and will be further improved and increased.
He said that the strike directly affects the poor and common patients who turn to government hospitals for treatment. Patients face difficulties due to the strike, while the doctors’ own valuable time is wasted and their training is also affected.
The Provincial Health Minister appealed to the Young Trainee Doctors to end the strike and return to the negotiation process, put their demands and reservations before the government and find a workable solution to all matters through an empowered committee. This is in everyone’s betterment.
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