A writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court demanding registration of criminal cases against the federal and Punjab governments for their failure to control the dengue epidemic, which claimed at least 62 lives.
Muhammad Azhar Siddique filed the petition in public interest. He said the Punjab Police inspector general and anti-corruption establishment (ACE) director general be ordered to register criminal cases against the culprits, including the executive and various politicians for being responsible for the loss of precious lives.
He said the government should be directed to establish a “Dengue Fever Eradication Commission” to chalk out a countrywide programme on a permanent basis for the complete eradication of the disease.
He demanded that political personalities be directed not to interfere in the executive’s functions, as they were directly concerned with the protection of fundamental rights, and appropriate direction should be given for setting-up an accountability system which would control corruption and the misuse of power.
Siddique demanded that the federal government, PMDC (Pakistan medical & dental council) and the provincial government be directed to provide 50 percent health facilities at private medical institutions for free.
