An estimated 40,000 out of 70,000 quacks in Sindh are in Karachi, maintained a petitioner who wants the government to tackle the menace.
On Monday, the Sindh High Court put the Deputy Attorney General, Advocate General of Sindh and other repsondents, including the federal and provincial health secretaries, on notice for August 10. Justices Gulzar Ahmed and Shahid Anwar Bajwa were hearing the petition challenging the illegal practice by quacks and dentists, the sale of dangerous drugs by drug stores and the manufacture of gutka.
The petition was filed by the honorary secretary general of the Human Rights Commission for South Asia (HRCSA).
The petitioner referred to a public notice issued by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) on July 8, 2010, warning all quacks, medical practitioners and dentists to stop illegal treatment or face prosecution under the Medical Degree Act of 1982, Alopathic System Prevention (Misuse ) Ordinance 1976. The owners of medical and drug stores are also selling fake, dangerous medicines besides antibiotics without prescriptions.
The petitioner also referred to an ordinance by the governor, prohibiting the consumption of gutka in government offices.
The petitioner prays the court to direct the federal and provincial governments to take immediate action against quacks and close down medical stores dealing in illegal activities beyond their licence.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2011.
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