Facilities in capital hospitals: SC reprimands CADD minister

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) reprimanded Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) on Monday while hearing the case regarding facilities in the federal capital hospitals. The apex court imposed a ban on new appointments in government hospitals in Islamabad.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar remarked, “Only two months of the sitting government are left when a new government comes, it will see the matter of new appointments. Those who get jobs, their families will become your voters. We will not allow anyone to make people voters through appointments.”

He further remarked, “Quorum is not completed in parliament. Official works are not completed. Then they say that court interferes.”

The CJP gave these remarks while presiding over a three-member SC bench hearing case pertaining to facilities in hospitals in the federal capital. The CJP remarked oxygen cylinder costing Rs5,000 was purchased at the cost of Rs22,000. Rs30 million had been received back. The other matters would be settled in inquiry. The CJP while addressing Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry during the hearing of the course remarked if he was medical doctor or doctor of any other kind.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said he was medical doctor. Summary for appointment of PIMS head had been sent to prime minister. Soon the appointment would be made. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court summoned Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal and secretary on March 26 in an overseas Pakistanis case.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, resumed hearing into the matter pertaining to overcharging the overseas Pakistanis for provision of National Identity Cards (NICs). The court observed that even oversees Pakistanis were facing the burden of expenditure of offices established abroad.

During the course of hearing, the petitioner requested the apex court to declare null and void the changes made by the government for increasing the fees of NIC for overseas Pakistanis. The law officer, representing the federation, however, told the court that the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) had sent a summary regarding changing for decreasing the fess of National Identity Card for overseas Pakistanis but added that the government had returned the said summary.

At this, Chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar questioned on which basis the government returned the said summary and summoned Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Secretary Interior for giving explanation and reasons as to why the summary was returned

The chief justice observed that the subsidy being granted to Pakistanis should also be ensured to the Overseas Pakistanis as well. The chief justice further said that the order of the court, in this regard, will be implemented in letter and spirit all the citizens will be charged equally for provision of National Identity Cards (NICs).