Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday noted that directives of the Supreme Court were being implemented and that all issues will be resolved soon, especially after his one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi a day earlier. His comments came during hearing of a suomotu case pertaining to facilities in the hospitals of the federal capital and the drugs and medicines, particularly injections, being stolen from the public sector hospitals. During the hearing, the additional attorney general stated that the court’s orders were being implemented by the government quickly and in letter and spirit. He said in compliance with the court orders, the ministry concerned has sent a summary regarding the appointment of hospital executives in the federal capital to the Establishment Division. “No doubt, the court orders are being implemented quickly,” the chief justice noted, adding that all the matters were being resolved quickly since his Tuesday’s meeting with the prime minister. “God willing, nothing will come to standstill now,” he observed.

“Now no summary will stop. Let the government work,” the chief justice said, adding that it would be seen later whether honest and competent people were appointed by the government.

The chief justice told the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) secretary that the matter of appointment of competent and honest officials on important posts should be taken forward professionally. “Otherwise, the court will itself appoint honest and competent officers,” he warned.

He said the matter pertaining to the health should be looked after by the doctors as administrators, whereas the secretary health should also be a doctor.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing for a week. At a rare one-on-one meeting at the Supreme Court on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had assured Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar of ‘full support’ on public interest initiatives undertaken by the top judge as well as revamp of the judicial system of the country.

The chief justice, on his part, had assured the prime minister that the judiciary will continue to perform its constitutional duties “independently, fairly, transparently, without fear or favour and strictly in accordance with law”, according to a press statement issued by the Supreme Court after the meeting.

“All steps will be taken to materialise the vision of the Honourable Chief Justice with respect to free education, public health, improvements in government hospitals and provision of quality and affordable health services, revamping the medical education, especially in private medical colleges, provision of clean drinking water, better sanitation and protection of environment, etc,” the statement had quoted Prime Minister Abbasi as having told the chief justice.

Published in Daily Times, March 29^th 2018.