SC orders commission to monitor Sindh’s steps for Thar

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday ordered constitution of a monitoring commission to keep vigil on measures of the Sindh government for fair distribution of food and provision of best facilities of health and education to the people of Thar.

A three-member bench headed by CJP Nisar was hearing a suo muto notice against the deaths of children owing to malnutrition in Thar at Supreme Court Lahore Registry. Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan were the other members of the bench.

The monitoring commission will comprise representatives of Sindh government, district judge Tharparkar, Dr Sonu Khanagarani and Dr Tipu Sultan. The commission will submit periodic reports over the situation.

CJP Nisar asked Advocate General Sindh Salman Talibuddin if furniture and washrooms were available for schoolchildren when they visited there, the AGS replied ‘No’. The country’s top judge remarked there is a need to constitute a development authority.

“Are you satisfied over the health condition of those areas where there is neither a surgeon nor radiologist? No MIRs, ventilators, ICUs are there in hospitals,” the CJP remarked, adding positions are lying vacant and no standard medicines are available there. He further emphasised for constitution of a development authority, adding if there is an issue of a government’s policy then submit here a comprehensive plan over it.

The top judge said he knows at what price the pregnant women are distributed ‘Raashan’, adding there is no proper distribution system as people had complained him in Mithi.



Advocate Faisal Siddiqi amicus curie (friend of court) implored the bench there are four fact-finding reports of different commissions including two reports of a commission constituted by the Sindh government which revealed steps were not taken to a large extent which were required.

The government’s commission also suggested a monitoring and supervising system to ensure fair distribution of food as well as provision of best health facilities.

The CJP remarked the matter should be put before cabinet to form development authority. Advocate Faisal also sought strict action against those doctors who are paid by the government but were not serving in hospitals.

At the onset of proceedings, CJP Nisar asked about laboratory report of the water the sample of which had been brought from that locality, the CJP was told the sample is clear and it is drinkable water.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, on lighter note, asked AGS Talibuddin where the hospital of Mithi vanished after their visit, what about the rented patients who had been brought against Rs100 each.

AGS Talibuddin replied the hospital had been set up for few days and the time of that hospital came to an end that day and was removed.