Doctors, Kohat blast victims and social media spending raise questions in KP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing concerns over terrorism, healthcare services and government spending, with doctors’ representatives

PESHAWAR/KOHAT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing concerns over terrorism, healthcare services and government spending, with doctors’ representatives raising questions about the treatment of medical professionals and the allocation of funds for the Chief Minister’s social media team.

A senior doctor and representative of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) KP alleged that doctors faced arrests, violence and legal cases during the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure in the province while protesting over healthcare reforms, service structure and security.

According to the doctor, medical professionals had repeatedly protested against issues including the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) system, Basic Health Units and other healthcare policies. He alleged that some doctors were subjected to baton charges, arrested and booked under different legal provisions.

The doctor described the treatment of protesting medical professionals as a difficult chapter for the healthcare community and said doctors had continued to raise concerns over working conditions and patients’ access to healthcare.

The issue has gained further attention following reports regarding expenditure on the KP Chief Minister’s social media team. According to documents cited by Minute Mirror, 16 members of the social media team have been assigned salaries ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs300,000, along with various facilities including official vehicles, fuel, accommodation and motorcycles in some cases.

The reported monthly salaries of the 16-member team total around Rs1.9 million. Five additional YouTubers are reportedly receiving a combined Rs400,000 per month. The documents also mention a Rs50 million allocation for the social media cell.

The figures have drawn criticism from members of the doctor community, with a senior YDA representative questioning the government’s priorities. He described the situation as “Tiktokers ki hukumat hai bhai,” arguing that greater attention and resources should be directed towards healthcare professionals and hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Kohat blast has added to concerns over security in the province. A father and his two sons were reportedly among those killed in the attack at a place of worship, leaving their family devastated. Local residents expressed grief over the loss, while investigations into the incident continued.

Doctor Israel Orakzai was also among those killed in the Kohat blast. The Young Doctors Association KP issued a statement expressing grief over his death and extended condolences to his family and other victims.

Questions have also been raised regarding the identity of the attackers and the route allegedly used by the vehicle involved in the attack. Local sources questioned the authenticity of an identity document reportedly recovered during the investigation, particularly details concerning streets, neighbourhoods and roads in Orakzai.

Police and counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the identity of the suspects, the vehicle’s movement and other evidence linked to the attack. The authorities are expected to establish the facts through forensic, technical and other investigative procedures.

The developments have brought together two major concerns in KP: the security challenges facing residents and the grievances of healthcare professionals. YDA representatives have called for greater protection for doctors, proper recognition and compensation for the families of those killed, and transparency regarding government expenditure on social media operations.

The KP government’s position is that the social media structure is intended to counter misinformation and communicate government policies. The Health Department has maintained that healthcare spending is governed through a separate budgetary framework.

Further official findings regarding the Kohat blast, the identity of the attackers and the reported expenditure are awaited.