The ongoing sit-in by the Grand Health Alliance on Lahore’s Mall Road has brought the city’s main commercial district to a standstill. However, the Punjab government has categorically decided not to engage in talks with the protesting healthcare workers.

According to sources, the government maintains that it will not succumb to pressure or blackmail from any protesting group. Officials fear initiating dialogue with one faction could trigger similar protests and sit-ins by other sectors, prompting the administration to adopt a hardline stance.

It has also emerged that even the special committee formed by the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly was not granted permission to negotiate with the protestors, highlighting a clear policy at the highest level to ignore the ongoing demonstrations.

Meanwhile, health department employees have been protesting for the past 14 days against proposed privatisation measures. Under the banner of the Grand Health Alliance, doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff are demanding that the decision to privatise hospitals be withdrawn, warning of intensified protests otherwise.

The sit-in on the city’s key artery has severely disrupted traffic flow, causing major inconvenience to patients and their attendants trying to reach hospitals.