LAHORE: A complete report of forensic audit conducted on the order of the Supreme Court revealed discrepancies in funds allocated for Pakistan Kidney & Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI).

Digital Forensic Research & Services Director General Kaukab Jamal Zubairi was appointed by the court to conduct the audit of the institute.

Mr Zubairi submitted his 43-page report on Friday before a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar. PKLI chairman Dr Saeed Akhtar was also present in the court along with his counsel Hamid Khan.

The report stated that actual approved contract of PKLI was Rs13 billion and according to the finance department of the institute it was increased to Rs19.05 billion whereas government documents explained it to be Rs19.50billion and Infrastructure and Development Authority Punjab (IDAP) was expecting it to be increased to Rs23 billion.

It said the institute was yet to carry out its first liver transplant but a sum of Rs20 billion had been transferred to it by the finance department. It said the institute conducted six kidney transplants so far.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Nisar observed that if any corruption was found in the project the responsible would be taken to task.

He regretted that Rs100 million was being spent on salaries of the PKLI’s officials and its head and his wife had been drawing Rs2 million per month but there was no liver transplant so far.

Referring to social media campaign in favour of PKLI, the chief justice directed Dr Akhtar to stop the campaign otherwise strict action would be taken against those involved in the campaign. “When did I seek apology from you?” the chief justice asked Dr Akhtar as it had been propagated on social media.

Advocate Khan requested the chief justice to restrict reporting of the PKLI’s case to protect the reputation of the institute.

However, Chief Justice Nisar rejected the request and observed that the media had been reporting facts. “If you get to know facts behind this social media campaign, you would definitely stop defending your client,” the chief justice told the senior counsel.

The chief justice directed the Punjab government and the PKLI to submit their rejoinders on the audit report by Aug 20. He also barred Dr Akhtar from leaving the country without the permission of the court.

PRISONERS: The Supreme Court directed all the provincial jail authorities for registration of terminally ill prisoners and to get them examined through medical boards.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar directed the authorities to release such prisoners if they were found terminally ill by the medical boards.

Earlier, a law officer told the court that three terminally ill prisoners found in jails of Punjab had been released. He said two out of three such prisoners in jails of Sindh passed away.

The chief justice adjourned hearing and directed the governments to also make rules for the terminally ill prisoners.

SEEMAL KAMRAN: The chief justice of Pakistan summoned former provincial law minister Basharat Raja on an application by former PML-Q MPA Seemal Kamran, who claimed to be the wife of Mr Raja.

During hearing of cases of human rights, Ms Kamran appeared before the chief justice and stated she married to Mr Raja with consent and participation of families from both sides. She said Raja expelled her from the house and grabbed her property and valuables.

She alleged that Raja had been hurling life threats at her and her children.

The chief justice directed the former law minister to appear before the court next week.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2018