LAHORE - Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar Saturday summoned Punjab Healthcare Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, health secretary, and head of Surgimed hospital over the death of a woman during delivery.
The CJP set up an inquiry commission to look into matter. Deceased’s father Mian Mujahid said his daughter died after the doctors administered her a wrong injection. He alleged doctors mishandled the case. Doctors were also present in the courtroom.
The applicant said: “My daughter underwent a normal delivery but she was shifted to the operation theatre where she was kept for 20 hours without a reason. Meanwhile, a wrong injection was administered to her that caused her death.” The CJP remarked that the private hospitals just make money but the court cannot let them do so. He also hinted at holding forensic audit of some private hospitals in the city.
SC wrapped 70 suo motu cases: report
The Supreme Court has concluded 70 suo motu cases according to a report prepared on the court’s orders. The chief justice of Pakistan, under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution, took suo motu notice of public concerns and intervened in multiple matters.
The first suo motu was taken by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on January 1, 2017, in a case pertaining to the torture of teenage girl Tayyaba at the hands of an additional sessions judge and his wife in Islamabad.
Additional Attorney General Imtiaz Kaifi, during the session, informed the CJP that the litigants are very grateful to him and added: “Those whose matters have been resolved, raise their hands and pray for the safety of our country.” At this, the CJP replied, “I have only executed my duties, it’s part of my job. I haven’t done anyone any favours. I don’t want any limelight.” On September 6, the SC gave a clear indication to ‘regulate’ its suo motu power, which is widely criticised by superior bars and major political parties as judicial interference in the affairs of other institutions.
The three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the CJP Nisar on Friday issued notices to the attorney general of Pakistan, the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association to assist in determining the scope of exercising suo motu jurisdiction under Article 184 (3). Two senior lawyers will also be appointed as amicus to assist in this matter. During the hearing, the CJP told the AGP Anwar Mansoor Khan that the court wants to examine whether it is overstepping its jurisdiction under Article 184 (3), which allows it to intervene in public interest matters. “We want to regularise our powers,” he noted before adjourning the case for an indefinite period.
