Daily Times

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar Sunday said that he was not running anyone’s election campaign.

“I am not responsible for anyone’s election campaign,” he said while addressing the media during his visit to the site of under-construction Mother and Child hospital.

The top judge said he was visiting the hospitals out of free will in a bid to solve patients’ problems. “The perception that I visited the hospital on Sheikh Rasheed’s request is wrong.”

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed, the petitioner in the case related to the hospital, and officials of the PWD were also present.

Justice Nisar directed the authorities concerned to complete the construction of the hospital in 18 months and lamented that the hospital’s construction had been delayed for 10 years.

The CJP reprimanded PWD chief engineer, saying that the entire structure had been destroyed. He said that the work on the project should be started immediately. He also assured that all required funds would be provided and added that the court would provide all legal assistance in this regard.

Rasheed said that the hospital should be named after the chief justice. However, the CJP rejected his suggestion. Later, the CJP also visited the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC).

Patients at the RIC informed the CJP about lack of doctors at the hospital. The chief justice also inspected the water filtration facility of the hospital and waste management plants.

Strict security arrangements were ensured on the occasion.

Published in Daily Times, July 2^nd 2018.