Protest

09
Sep 2021
5:32 UTC

Pakistan Tactical: Protests against PMC to be held in Karachi, Lahore at 11:00 (local time) on September 10; maintain vigilance

Please be advised:

  • Protests against the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) will be staged at the Press Club in Karachi at 11:00 (local time) on September 10.  Protesters are demanding that the PMC reconduct the National Licensing Examination (NLE), alleging irregularities in the results. 

  • At 11:00 on September 10, a demonstration will be held at Campus Road near Sheikh Zaid Hospital in Lahore. 

  • On September 8, police reportedly detained over 50 students from various districts in Balochistan Province, and baton-charged protesters for staging a demonstration at Edhi Chowk in Quetta against the alleged irregularities in the online entry test organized by the PMC. The protesting students regrouped at the Quetta Press Club during the night hours. 

Assessments:

  1. The scheduled protests in Lahore and Karachi demonstrate the sustained dissatisfaction over the education policies of the PMC. Previously, demonstrations against PMC were staged to demand the cancelation of the mandatory NLE in August. Participation in the scheduled demonstrations is likely to be in high dozens, in line with previous demonstrations by the segment on the issue. The police crackdown on students in Quetta on September 8 may elevate participation.  
  2. Given the previous trends, there remains a latent risk of detention and forcible dispersal during the Lahore and Karachi protests, given the propensity for violence in such demonstrations. Smaller ad-hoc student protests may occur in other parts of the city as well, particularly near medical colleges and local hospitals. Protesters may potentially block roads while localized travel disruptions are also likely near the aforementioned locations due to the expected increased security deployment.  

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in Karachi and Lahore on September 10 are advised to maintain vigilance at the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests and the risk of police intervention while allotting for disruptions to traffic.  

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL High
AFFECTED AREA Karachi; Lahore, Pakistan
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Please be advised:

  • Protests against the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) will be staged at the Press Club in Karachi at 11:00 (local time) on September 10.  Protesters are demanding that the PMC reconduct the National Licensing Examination (NLE), alleging irregularities in the results. 

  • At 11:00 on September 10, a demonstration will be held at Campus Road near Sheikh Zaid Hospital in Lahore. 

  • On September 8, police reportedly detained over 50 students from various districts in Balochistan Province, and baton-charged protesters for staging a demonstration at Edhi Chowk in Quetta against the alleged irregularities in the online entry test organized by the PMC. The protesting students regrouped at the Quetta Press Club during the night hours. 

Assessments:

  1. The scheduled protests in Lahore and Karachi demonstrate the sustained dissatisfaction over the education policies of the PMC. Previously, demonstrations against PMC were staged to demand the cancelation of the mandatory NLE in August. Participation in the scheduled demonstrations is likely to be in high dozens, in line with previous demonstrations by the segment on the issue. The police crackdown on students in Quetta on September 8 may elevate participation.  
  2. Given the previous trends, there remains a latent risk of detention and forcible dispersal during the Lahore and Karachi protests, given the propensity for violence in such demonstrations. Smaller ad-hoc student protests may occur in other parts of the city as well, particularly near medical colleges and local hospitals. Protesters may potentially block roads while localized travel disruptions are also likely near the aforementioned locations due to the expected increased security deployment.  

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in Karachi and Lahore on September 10 are advised to maintain vigilance at the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests and the risk of police intervention while allotting for disruptions to traffic.  

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL High
AFFECTED AREA Karachi; Lahore, Pakistan
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible