Daily Times

QUETTA: Chief Justice (CJ) Saqib Nisar on Tuesday resumed hearing of a sou moto notice case pertaining to the issues of public interest in Balochistan.

A three-member bench comprising Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Mansoor Ali, CJ chaired the hearings at Supreme Court’s (SC) Quetta Registry.

During the hearing, Nisar criticised the provincial heath secretary Saleh Nasir over the dreadful state of public hospitals in Balochistan.

CJ also questioned about the salaries given to young doctors warning the health secretary to be deprived of his salary until the doctors were paid their dues. Nisar objected on the income disparity of the doctors who are only paid Rs 24,000 per month, to that of the income of Supreme Court’s (SC) driver.

The later part of the hearing sought answers from Education Secretary, who informed the court of his efforts by construction of 11,000 toilets over a period of three years in the province’s schools. He added to the court’s knowledge that 1135 primary schools were administered by the government but they all lacked basic facilities due to lack of funds and resources.

In the previous hearing of April 9, CJ had summoned ministers of Bolochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Nawab Sanaullah Zehri to appear before the SC to give an explanation about their efforts and work for the welfare of the public over 4-year tenure as the government.

CJ had later visited Civil Hospital Quetta along with Chief Minister of Balochistan Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo.

The young doctors of outpatient departments (OPD) of government hospitals in Balochistan had called for a strike in March demanding appointments of vacant seats, payment of salaries and provision of new machines at medical facilities. Later the government had promised to fulfill the demands of the doctors. However when the demands were not met, the doctors resumed their strike on April 6 and observed its fourth day on Monday. The strike came to an end after CJ’s visit.