Pakistan's military said it will provide protective equipment to dozens of doctors who were briefly jailed for protesting a lack of medical gear needed to treat the growing number of coronavirus cases.
The 47 doctors protested in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province, on April 6, when they were detained. Provincial spokesman Liaquat Shahwani said they were released later the same day.
An army statement on April 7 said the "emergency supplies of medical equipment, including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are being dispatched to Quetta."
However, some of the medical personnel who had been detained said they were mistreated by police and that some of their colleagues were beaten. The doctors spoke under the condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals.
Two doctors have died after contracting the new virus in Pakistan, which has recorded 4,004 cases and 54 deaths.
Many of the cases have been traced to pilgrims returning from neighboring Iran.
Pakistani authorities have imposed a countrywide lockdown until April 14.
Related
Editor's Picks
Subscribe
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Pakistan Slides Into New 'Era Of Terrorism'
2Islamabad, Afghan Taliban Locked In Stalemate Over Pakistani Militants
3Afghan Taliban Says Its Forces Struck Targets In Pakistan As Cross-Border Clashes Erupt
4More Than 40 Killed In Pakistani Strikes Inside Afghanistan, Taliban Claims
5'Lives Are In Danger': Afghans Devastated By Trump's Refugee Resettlement Suspension
6Malala Condemns Taliban On Women’s Rights, Assails ‘Gender Apartheid’
7As Land Mines Kill More Afghans, Deminers Face Funding Crisis
8Trump Again Vows To End Ukraine War, Warns Taliban About Weapons
9Biden Speaks To Families Of Taliban's U.S. Prisoners, Vows To Press For Release
102 U.S. Men Freed In Afghanistan In Exchange For Taliban Serving Life In California
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.