Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday once again dissolved the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) board and issued the contempt notices to Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, the provincial chief secretary, and the secretary and additional secretary health for constituting the commission without obtaining prior approval from the top court.
The Chief Justice expressed his displeasure over the formation of board and said Supreme Court had asked that all names suggested for the board should be provided to it, but the order was complied with.
It tantamount to contempt of court, the CJP noted. The board was notified without the Supreme Court's approval. The respondent officials are directed to respond to the contempt notices within two days.
“The health officials must feel fear of Allah. The board should be comprised of the best stuff. A former unconfirmed judge of the high court has also been included in the board whereas rules disallowed his induction, he added.
Earlier, the SC had dissolved the then PHC Board of Commissioners and ordered for a new board to be formed within two weeks.
The board members were summoned to explain the resignation of Justice (retd) Amir Raza Khan from the post of the commission’s chairperson, taking notice of the alleged humiliation to Justice (retd) Khan in the first meeting.
CJP Nisar further expressed his ‘disappointment’ towards Dr Rashid and said “we had a lot of expectations from you, what kind of people have you appointed as board members”. He had observed that the political government would not be allowed to capture the independence of regulatory authorities.
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