The Sindh High Court directed the provincial government again on Thursday to release funds for the Sindh Government Children's Hospital within a week.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, was hearing a petition pertaining to non-provision of funds to the hospital since 2018.
"Why has the money not been released yet?" asked Justice Mazhar, inquiring whether the government wanted to run the children's hospital or not.
The public-private partnership director maintained before the court that a summary had been approved to release hospital funds and at present, Rs200 million was being released.
However, the petitioner contended that around Rs2.3 billion was to be paid as there were around 300 employees who are owed eight months' salaries.
"After the issuance of the funds, more money will be released," remarked Justice Mazhar.
Warning the Sindh government of action if the funds are not released, the court sought a progress report from the health department by December 11.
Biometric verification of prisoners
The same bench disposed of the plea pertaining to wrongful imprisonment of persons sharing the names of criminals due to absence of biometric verification in jails, after expressing satisfaction over the provisions made by the authorities.
The additional home secretary and other officials appeared before the court.
During the hearing, the Sindh Home Department maintained that a biometric system had been set up for jails and biometric verification was being used for each inmate's data.
The court was informed that there were 24 prisons across Sindh, with 140 systems set up, and it was made mandatory to check CNICs when transferring prisoners. The bench inquired if the existing systems would be sufficient and prison officials replied that they would be.
The petitioner voiced concern about there being only one backup server at which the court inquired about the cost of installing more servers.
The court remarked it wanted the system to be improved, transparent and efficient, which was why it had summoned officials in person.
The bench directed the relevant authorities to ensure the court's instructions are displayed at all jails and relevant offices, and ordered the home department and Prisons IG to ensure implementation.
The court's orders include biometric verification of all inmates being brought in and for their criminal record to be submitted to jail authorities by police officials. The bench further warned that contempt action would be initiated against any department failing to comply with its orders.
*With additional input from PPI
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2020.
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