Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Friday announced that he will visit Thar on December 12 and directed the Sindh government to make the arrangements.

A bench headed by the chief justice and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard a suo motu notice over child deaths due to malnutrition in Thar.

As the hearing started, the chief justice said, “I am going to Thar on December 12. The Sindh government should make arrangements.”

“Newly born children are dying in Thar and there are also issues pertaining to the supply and distribution of water over there. I don’t want to tour only the good areas but also ones where poverty and issues are prevalent,” the top judge remarked.

The Sindh advocate general said during the last hearing the court had sought a report from the sessions judge. “Food has been distributed to those affected,” he informed the court. At this, the chief justice said, “I will see this matter myself when I visit there on December 12. It will be better to hear the case then.” In response, the Sindh advocate general said, “By the time you visit, conditions will have improved.”

Justice Ahsan asked, “Are doctors being given additional salary?” The Sindh advocate general responded, “Grade 1-11 employees are being given additional Rs 10,000; Grade 12-16 are being given additional Rs 17,000; Grade 17 are being granted Rs 90,000 and Grade 18 onwards are being given an additional Rs140,000.”

During the hearing, MNA Ramesh Kumar Vankwani said, “The prime minister’s housing scheme should be brought to Thar. There are no doctors in Mithi for mothers or children and there is also a need for vets there.” At this, the chief justice said, “After looking at the situation myself, I will hear this matter.”

The court then asked court adviser Faisal Siddiqui to give comments on the Sindh government’s appeal. “An effective system for accountability and overview is needed in Thar and thus a judicial commission should be formed,” Siddiqui said. “There is a big issue of bank loans in Thar and people are committing suicide over failure to pay off debts,” he added. At this, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) representative said, “We are rescheduling the loans given to the farmers there.”

The chief justice stated, “I am going to Karachi from December 11 to 12, we will make a commission under the chairmanship of a retired SC judge.” The court then adjourned the hearing of the case.

Published in Daily Times, December 8^th 2018.