Islamabad House Officers Face Pay Discrimination, Senate Seeks Remedy
Senators Slam Pay Disparity for House Officers in Islamabad, Call It Exploitation
Nadeem Tanoli
ISLAMABAD – Senators erupted in outrage during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Health as glaring inequalities in stipends for house officers working in Islamabad’s federal hospitals came to light. The discussion exposed a stark pay gap between young doctors at institutions like PIMS and their counterparts in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand raised the issue, revealing that house officers in federal hospitals receive approximately Rs. 104,000 per month, whereas those in several provincial facilities earn up to Rs. 150,000. The discrepancy triggered sharp criticism from committee members, who called the practice unjust and demoralizing.
Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand delivered a passionate response, stating, “These doctors, after 25 years of education, are working 92-hour weeks. Many are supporting families. This amount is not right.” He condemned the disparity as indefensible, especially given the responsibilities and workload young doctors bear during their mandatory training period.
The committee’s concerns went beyond low stipends. Lawmakers also discussed the troubling trend of certain hospitals requiring house officers to complete their mandatory house jobs without pay. Several members called this practice outright “exploitation” and an institutional failure to protect young medical professionals.
Responding to the criticism, the Federal Health Minister acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances and assured the committee that the ministry had already initiated an internal review. “I have asked my office for a complete briefing. We understand the hardship, but we are also constrained by available resources,” he said. He added that discussions were underway to explore practical solutions that could bring federal stipends in line with those offered by the provinces.
The committee, however, stressed that urgent action was needed. Members emphasized that house officers form the frontline of the healthcare system and must be treated with fairness and respect.
