Continue visa process to import medicines from India: SHC

Directs DRAP, foreign ministry to collaborate for the purpose

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Thursday to collaborate with the foreign ministry and carry forward the visa process for importing medicines from India.

The directive was issued by a two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed, while hearing a plea pertaining to delays in the import of medicines, filed by pharmaceutical companies.

A DRAP official informed the court that visas to visit India were not being issued due to escalation in tensions between in India and Pakistan. The counsel for the pharmaceutical companies attributed the delay in the import of medicines to this suspension in the issuance of visas.

Later, the DRAP official also informed the court that the drug regulatory authority had constituted a committee that was responsible for inspecting pharmaceutical companies.

Concluding the hearing, the court remarked that companies facing problems in the issuance of visas to India were to approach DRAP for assistance and directed the foreign ministry to provide assistance to DRAP. It ordered the ministry and the drug regulatory authority to collaborate to carry forward the visa process for the import of medicines from India. Besides, the high court directed DRAP to complete the pending registrations for drugs within 45 days.

Assets beyond means reference

Meanwhile, another bench, headed by SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh and comprising Justice Omar Sial, ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file an assets beyond means reference against former provincial minister for law Ziaul Hassan Lanjar by February 13. The court also directed the anti-graft watchdog to present a report in this regard within the allotted time.

During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor informed the court that investigation against the former law minister was complete and a reference had been prepared, which was sent to NAB headquarters in Islamabad for approval. Stating that NAB chairperson was likely to approve the reference yesterday (Thursday), he sought more time from the court for getting the approval.

At this, the court asked, "How many inquiries have been opened against Lanjar?"

"Only one inquiry was opened against Lanjar and it has been sent for approval after completion," replied the NAB prosecutor.

The court directed the NAB to file a reference against Lanjar by February 13 and extended the interim bail of the former law minister, who too appeared before the court at the hearing.

According to NAB, Lanjar is involved in embezzlement of funds and misuse of authority. The anti-graft watchdog has claimed that Lanjar's bungalow in Defence Housing Authority, which he allegedly failed to declare before the Election Commission of Pakistan, has been located. Moreover, NAB has accused him of transferring money from public funds to his account, via a frontman, and embezzling funds allocated to Peoples Medical College, Nawabshah, and other colleges. As per NAB's findings, Rs170 million from public funds and Rs130 million from funds earmarked for Peoples Medical College, Nawabshah, were transferred to Lanjar's bank account.

Interim bails extended

The same bench extended the interim bails of Fasihuddin and others accused of money laundering via fake bank accounts till January 20.

The accused appeared before the court, which was apprised by NAB officials that the inquiry against the accused was underway. The officials requested for more time to complete the inquiry.

The court adjourned the hearing, extending the interim bails of the accused till January 20.

Extension granted

Another bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Irshad Ali, yet again granted an extension to the parties for submitting replies on a plea pertaining to the alleged torture meted out to Pakistan Peoples Party leader and former chairperson of Fishermen Housing Society, Nisar Morai, inside prison.

The court expressed annoyance over the Sindh government and the jail administration’s persisitent failure to submit replies on the plea filed by Morai’s wife, Seema.

During the hearing, the counsel for the government sought an extension from the court for submitting the reply.

Granting the extension, the court adjourned the hearing till February 13.

According to the plea filed by Seema, Morai was subjected to torture by the jail administration after he complained about IG Prisons Nusrat Mangan carrying out corruption within prison to the prisons advisor, who was on a visit to the jail.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2020.