CJP turns to Punjab's problems at SC Lahore registry

Suspends PU's vice chancellor; Hints at imprisoning quack doctors

LAHORE: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Saturday ordered the suspension of the vice chancellor of Punjab University while hearing multiple cases at the top court's Lahore registry.

The two-member bench, headed by the CJP, also ordered the senior most professor to temporarily replace the VC. "The government didn't appoint another VC because this one gave into their illegitimate demands," the top judge remarked at the illegal allotment of the varsity's land to the provincial government.

VC Dr Zakria Zakar submitted his resignation at the apex court today.



The bench further directed a search committee to find a suitable candidate for the vacant position. The bench also noticed that the appointment of VCs is not done on merit. The court said it was saddening that Isa Muhammad had appointed a quack as the VC. But at the same time was happy that the court’s search committee had nominated three splendid candidates for the post in question. The court directed that an individual with a sublime reputation should be appointed as the vice chancellor.

Fake doctors case

The top judge further expressed happiness over the doctors’ report regarding the suo moto taken of the poultry feed. The chicken meat and the poultry feed was deemed fit to be consumed and not harmful.

According to the report, the meat was not harmful for consumption and that germs found in the chicken claws were a norm. The CJP told Faisal Masood that the court was grateful to him for preparing the comprehensive report by going to every shop and store and wrapping the matter up at the earliest. While wrapping up the proceedings in the suo moto case, the court said, in its remarks, it was a good thing that issues were resolved in a suo motu case and hoped that the people from the railway department wouldn’t mind that the courts were interfering in their affairs.

State of hospitals

In another suo motu, the court adjourned the hearing for a week to give time for gathering suggestions and ideas on how to improve the current state of hospitals. During the hearing of quack doctors and action against them, some fake doctors managed to enter court premises.

The top judge expressed frustration on this and hinted to lock all of them up and ordered them to leave the court. "People who play with the lives of other people were not deserving of any leniency," he added.



Pollution in Sargodha

Resuming the hearing of the suo motu taken of pollution emitting from a chemical factory in Sargodha, the court directed the sample of chemical waste to be sent to PCSI and Punjab laboratories for further testing.

In his remarks, the CJP said that he won’t let people fall sick, even for a moment, on his watch. Justice Nisar also said that the owner of the crystallised factory was an influential person, linked to multiple MNAs and MPAs. The top judge said that he was told not to express his anger over this individual.  In the environmental pollution case, the commission sought a report soon.