Corruption probe ordered into affairs of Civil Hospital, Mirpurkhas

Court ordered health secretary to form committee to assess budgetary requirements

HYDERABAD: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) to conduct an inquiry into alleged irregularities and delay in upgrading and expanding of Civil Hospital, Mirpurkhas.

A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Fahim Ahmed Siddiqui, gave on Friday four weeks to ACE to complete and submit the inquiry report.

The bench also issued show-cause notice to ACE chairperson for failing to comply with the court's earlier order to conduct an inquiry into the same matter. "We appoint Faisal Bashir Memon, Director Enquiries, Anti-Corruption Establishment, Karachi, to probe into the affairs of the Civil Hospital, Mirpurkhas as well as [its] newly constructed buildings and departments," the order reads. The official was directed to proceed against the officials if he finds any 'malfeasance' or 'illegality'.



Health Additional Secretary Jamaluddin Jalalani assured the court that the under-construction building of the paediatric department will be handed over to the hospital within 15 days. However, the bench reminded the official that a similar assurance was also given earlier this year that the handover would be completed by March, 2017.

The court also took notice of the fact that although the construction work is yet to be completed, the surgical and other equipment purchased for the hospital are lying in the new building.

Health DG Muhammad Akhlaq Khan informed the SHC that the existing budget of Civil Hospital, Mirpurkhas at around Rs410 million is insufficient for providing the range of health facilities that are being asked by the petitioner. The court ordered the health secretary to form a committee to assess the budgetary requirements of the hospital and recommend budget accordingly to the finance department. The bench fixed the next hearing for August 28.