Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar warned Punjab government of shutting all mega projects in case the state of public hospitals and educational institutions doesn't improve in Punjab.

Today, a two-member bench, headed by the chief justice and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, resumed hearing the suo motu notice on the state of public hospitals in Punjab. 

Chief Justice Nisar informed the provincial chief secretary that in Services Hospital of Lahore, the instrument used to place stitches was not found present.

He observed that access to all kinds of healthcare is the basic right of a citizen.

"Providing healthcare is our responsibility," the chief justice stated, directing authorities to submit a report on the presence of life-saving medicines in hospitals.

The purpose of taking notice is not to take action but improve the situation, the bench observed.

The chief justice issued a warning against the provincial government stating, "Will close down all projects, including Orange Line Metro Train, if health and education sectors are not improved." 

The court also summoned affidavits of medical superintendents of all public hospitals and also directed the government-run hospitals to submit their audit reports. 

During the hearing, the chief justice also remarked, "Instead of seeking publicity on TV, the government should improve the situation in hospitals."

The court also warned of closing down all private clinics that government doctors operate after office hours if the situation does not improve. 

During the hearing, Chief Justice Nisar observed that the Punjab government is spending millions of rupees on its publicity.

In its remarks, the court stated that free medicines aren’t being made available yet funds are being spent on publicity campaigns.

The bench then summoned in 10 days details of the funds the provincial government has spent on advertising campaigns.

The court also ordered the government to submit in 15 days a policy on improving the conditions of state hospitals.