SHC recalls order restraining ACE from arresting officials of NGO running Thatta hospitals

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday recalled its interim order with regard to arrests of officials of a non-government organisation (NGO) working under a public-partnership programme with the Sindh government and assigned to run governments hospitals in Thatta.

Petitioner Medical Emergency Reliance Foundation has been assigned to run the Civil hospital, Taluka hospital and rural health centre of Thatta since 2015 under a public private agreement with the Sindh government.

The petitioner’s regional program manager had obtained interim stay order against arrests in a corruption inquiry being initiated by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE). The court had earlier directed ACE to not arrest the petitioner and anyone working in the NGO in the subject inquiry and directed the petitioner to join the subject inquiry without fail. The matter was fixed for hearing but a counsel for the petitioner sought adjournment of the case as he was engaged in other court proceedings.

The court adjourned the matter but recalled the interim stay order granted earlier in respect of the anti-corruption inquiry against the NGO and its officials.

Plea against MDCAT

The SHC has directed the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) to provide right of audience at the time of scrutiny of medical tests results of students who had appeared in the medical and dental colleges admissions test (MDCAT).

During the hearing of students’ petition, a division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar observed that the PMC had given a fair statement that it would try to redress the grievances of the students.

The high court directed the PMC to provide right of audience to students at the time of scrutiny through the zoom facility after due notice. The bench directed the commission to complete the exercise within 15 days. The applicants had filed applications before the court against several anomalies and irregularities in test results of the students.