SC expresses dismay over govt’s handling of Covid-19 crisis

ISLAMABAD: Hearing a suo motu case related to the situation arising out of the coronavirus crisis in the country, the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday questioned the credentials of the Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza and sought comprehensive reports from the federal and provincial governments about the measures taken to curb coronavirus.

A five-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed heard the suo motu case.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the reports of the federal and provincial governments, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan, regarding the steps taken by them to stem the Covid-19, the apex court sought more detailed reports in this regard.

During the course of proceedings, the chief justice expressed his reservations over the government’s performance to combat the coronavirus. “Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has not followed the court’s instructions. The questions raised in the previous court order were not answered,” the chief justice said, adding: “There are a lot of ministers and advisers, who are not doing proper work. The Prime Minister is a capable person, who should appoint capable persons as his advisers”.

Justice Ahmed observed no country was ready for the coronavirus pandemic, however, many of them had done legislation on emergency basis to cope with the contagion. The court had asked that the legislation should be enacted in the country, but the legislators were afraid of going to the Parliament House, he added.

Justice Qazi Amin said the court wanted to resolve the matters. To a court’s query about social distancing, Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan said the government was working on it. “It is not possible to make 22 million people of the country maintain social distancing through the army and other law enforcement agencies,” he said. The chief justice said the court wanted implementation of Article 9 of the Constitution.

Justice Amin said the people were locked at homes. “The poor people are being beaten up by the police on the streets while on the other hand everyone seems to be standing in first rows at funeral prayers.”

The attorney general said he had advised the Prime Minister for a complete lockdown. Justice Amin asked him as to what he was saying. “The court is neither criticising nor discouraging anyone as they all would have to think collectively because the people are starving.”

He said the government should play its role and the President should convene a joint session of the parliament, which was only hope for the people in such matters.

The bench also set aside Punjab government’s directive for obtaining corona clearance certificate before entering the province. The court also sought details from Sindh government regarding the expenditure of Rs80 million to distribute ration.

The court in its order sought a reply from all four provincial governments and the Gilgit-Baltistan government regarding steps taken to curb the spread of the virus. The order, however, made no mention of Mirza’s removal. The detailed order was expected in a couple of days.

The chief justice asked the attorney general about ongoing inquiry against Dr Mirza by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). To which the attorney general informed the court that the FIA was investigating him over masks issue which were sent to China with the approval of the government. “Removing Zafar Mirza from post at this point will not be suitable for the country as it will create more crisis amid coronavirus pandemic,” the attorney general told the court. Later, the court adjourned further hearing of the case until next Monday.