Dissolution of PMDC through ordinance challenged in IHC

Published October 31, 2019
President Dr Arif Alvi has recently promulgated an ordinance which has left the PMDC dissolved. — PMDC website/File
President Dr Arif Alvi has recently promulgated an ordinance which has left the PMDC dissolved. — PMDC website/File

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday admitted for regular hearing a petition against dissolution of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

The court issued notices to the secretaries to the president, cabinet division and law and health ministries, chief commissioner, attorney general and the president of the newly established Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) and adjourned the hearing till Nov 8.

President Dr Arif Alvi has recently promulgated an ordinance which has left the PMDC dissolved and paved the way for the establishment of the PMC.

Moreover, the national health services ministry through the Islamabad district administration and police took over the possession of the PMDC building and informed its 220 employees that the office would remain shut for one week.

Islamabad High Court issues notices to cabinet secretary and others for Nov 8

The registrar of erstwhile PMDC, retired Brig Dr Hafizud Din, and 31 employees moved the IHC, stating that an act of parliament gave powers to the government to dissolve the PMDC, but its president, vice president and the executive committee would stay intact till the appointment of newcomers after the elections which were to be held within one year.

Moreover, the federal government was authorised to appoint an officer, not below the rank of BS-20, as an administrator to head the executive committee. The administrator and the executive committee were to exercise powers of the council till the constitution of a new council, the petition said.

According to the petition, the Supreme Court had last year set the criteria for promulgation of an ordinance.

It said: “The Senate of Pakistan on August 29, 2019 after due deliberation on the provisions of the Ordinance and voting…disapproved the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Ordinance 2019; however, the President of Pakistan has again promulgated the identical provisions of the PMDC Ordinance 2019.’’

The petition said that the services of the PMDC employees were terminated without giving them a proper opportunity of hearing. It expressed apprehensions that the newly formed PMC may hire the services of new employees against the sanctioned and contractual positions through other mode after issuance of advertisement which would jeopardise the vested rights to serve council’s previous employees.

It requested the court to declare the ordinance for establishment of the PMC as unconstitutional and in the meanwhile allow the erstwhile PMDC employees to continue work in the newly formed commission.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.