GARDEZ (SW) – Doctors in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, have closed their pharmacies and laboratories in protest, causing problems for many people.
Doctors say the municipality has warned them to move their pharmacies and clinics to another part of the city, but they say they have spent too much on shops and clinics and do not want to move.
Ashraf, who owns a pharmacy in Gardez, told Salam Watandar, that the municipality was forcing them to rent places on upper floors in the markets in bid to minimize crowd in the market, but the shopkeepers have not enough financial means to support them.
Gardez residents are facing many problems due to the strike by doctors.
Besides this, restaurants and other shops in Gardez have also been closed during the strike.
Haji Hamesh, head of the shopkeepers’ association in Gardez, told Salam Watandar that apart from food items, clothing stores, barbers’ shops and other shops were closed this morning in protest.
Meanwhile, Gardez mayor Sharifullah Elham said he had informed doctors and owners of clinics and laboratories three weeks ago to go to the designated location.
He said the classification of shops creates order in the city and prevents overcrowding. According to him, the issue of strike of doctors has been handed over to a special commission to look into the matter.
“In three weeks they did not show up, we closed one of their pharmacies,” he told Salam Watandar. “Instead of coming to us, they went on strike for personal gain. Law enforcement is important. Whether in the city or out of town, the law must be enforced. Most of these shops are illegal.”
The mayor of Gardez has in the last few months initiated a move for urban order, which has so far moved butchers, vegetable sellers and mechanics to other suitable parts of the city in a bid to manage the capital city.
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