LAHORE - The Supreme Court Friday sought reply from Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute and Punjab government after a forensic audit report unveiled misappropriation of public money in the centre, warning that the responsible would be brought to justice.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar passed the order at Supreme Court Lahore registry on a suo motu notice on poor performance and deteriorating condition of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute.
During the proceedings, Digital Forensic Research and Services Director Kaukab Jamal submitted 43-page forensic report before the bench according to which the first contract of PKLI was given to ZKB’s owner Malik Zahir Khan who is said to be close to former Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif.
The report said that a society was established in the beginning which was provided funds while the PEPRA Rules were amended to establish this project. Former CM Shehbaz Sharif, it said, inaugurated the institute iin 2017 while the first kidney transplant was carried out in May 2018. It further said six operations of kidney transplant were carried out while no operation was done for liver transplantation.
According to the report, Rs 20.6 billion were given to PKLI but only 60 beds out of 477 were operational while Rs 1.5 billion was spent on ads. No approval of billions of rupees was sought by the authorities concerned, the report said.
The CJP regretted that an huge amount of Rs 100 was going into the head of salaries and Rs 2 million were going to the chief of the institute every month.
“Time will fly and also these people and nobody will be held accountable,” CJP Nisar remarked.
PKLI head Dr. Saeed Akhar was also present there.
Addressing Dr. Akhtar, the CJP asked him that for what the court had sought apology. “Stop campaign on it on social media,” the top judge ordered, adding that “everything is in the knowledge of court,”.
“Strict action would be taken if the campaign was not stopped,” the CJP warned.
During the hearing, the counsel of PKLI requested the court to stop the media coverage of the court proceedings but the CJP turned down his request and made it clear that media coverage was according to the facts.
“You will give up your position if you come to know on which media what campaign is being run by your client,” the CJP addressed counsel of institute.
The bench sought replies from PKLI and Punjab government and adjourned the hearing until August 21.
Islamabad airport: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Friday declared the report submitted by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on leakage of rainwater from newly constructed building of Islamabad International Airport, unsatisfactory and rejected the same.
“The video show huge water inundated inside the airport building while the report states the opposite,” the CJP observed while taking up the matter at the Supreme Court Lahore registry.
CAA director general Hassan Baig appeared before the bench while officials of Pakistan International Airlines were also present there.
Expressing serious concerns over the incorrect report, the CJP warned the officials that contempt proceedings could be initiated against them beside the investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency into the matter.
The top judge also notice of air-safari tour made by the PIA for the officials of CAA which caused serious problems to the tourist and passengers at Skardu airport.
CJP Nisar reprimanded the CAA director general over the tour, with direction to him to submit detailed report on the expenses of the tour. “What is the cost of the tour?” the chief justice questioned the officials. On it, PIA legal advisor said that the total cost of the tour was Rs 2. 38 million and 42 guests were invited to the air safari.
A federal law officer pleaded the court for some time to submit report on the matter and fixed the same at the principal seat in Islamabad. The court accepted the plea and put off further hearing until July 31.
Ends/ June 27-2018- FIDA
FIDA HUSSNAIN
