LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday directed the medical superintendents of the government hospitals in Punjab to submit within 10 days a report on the condition of infirmaries and availability of facilities including life-saving medicines.

The CJP was hearing a suo motu case on the state of public hospitals in Punjab. A two-member bench -- the chief justice and Justice Ijazul Ahsan -- is hearing matters of public welfare at the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry.

A visibly anguished CJP told off the Punjab government and warned of closing all its projects including the Orange Line Metro Train, if steps were not taken to improve health and education sectors.

During the course of hearing, he also asked the Young Doctors Association (YDA) to not observe strike any more in the hospitals and approach court for their grievances.

Bars civil courts from issuing stay in illegal banquet halls cases

“Access to healthcare falls under the basic rights of a citizen and I would take every step to improve the public facilities. The notice is meant not for taking action against anyone but to improve the condition of health facilities,” he said and added that the Supreme Court would focus on health and education in 2018.

The chief justice informed the chief secretary that the instrument meant for stitching wounds was not available at Lahore’s Services Hospital.

The Punjab government, he said, was spending millions of rupees on its publicity. He summoned 10-day details of the funds spent on its advertising campaigns. Instead of seeking publicity on TV, the CJP said, the government should improve the condition of hospitals.

The court also deplored that steps were not being taken to provide free medicines to the patients. He warned that he would order closure of the private clinics being run by government doctors after office hours if the ailing health sector remained ignored.

The bench directed the authorities to submit a report on the status of life-saving medicines in hospitals and submit within days a policy on how to improve the conditions of state hospitals.

BANQUET HALLS: The apex court barred the civil courts from issuing stay orders against illegal marriage halls and directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to take action against their owners and submit reports.

During the proceedings, a report was submitted to the bench about the building of Hameed Latif Hospital. Upon the LDA’s claim that the hospital building was illegal, the bench observed that anything that’s illegal should be demolished.

The lawyer representing the hospital told the bench that the entire building was not illegal after which the bench directed the hospital administration to submit a reply to the LDA stance and adjourned the hearing.

Medical Colleges fee: Hearing a suo motu case regarding the inflated fee structure of private medical and dental colleges, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar prohibited on Saturday private medical colleges from charging more than Rs642,000 in fees and also stopped further registration of medical colleges.

The CJP was heading a two-judge bench at the Lahore registry. The other member was Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

The CJP also warned the private medical and dental colleges and universities would be closed down if found in any discrepancies.

The chief executive officers and owners of the medical colleges and the attorney general of Pakistan were also present in the court. The owners of medical college submitted affidavits and accounts details to the court.

Justice Nisar also appointed Aysha Hamid amicus curie (a friend of court) for the medical college commission.

The CJP also constituted a constitutional committee to visit the medical colleges and submits its report to him.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2018