Take action against quacks, CJP instructs KP govt

• Water samples from Peshawar to be tested for safety

• CJP praises KP police chief’s performance

• Says ‘time to improve judicial system’

PESHAWAR: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar on Friday directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to take action against fake doctors and clinics throughout the province.

The orders came as the CJP resumed hearing a number of cases at the apex court’s Peshawar registry related to public welfare issues, including healthcare, safe drinking water and education.

As the hearing went underway on Friday, CJP remarked, “The quacks are destroying the lives of the people. No one will issue a stay order [against government’s action] and if any person wants one he should come to the Supreme Court (SC)”.

Speaking to the KP Health Care Commission chairman who had appeared before the apex court alongside Chief Secretary Azam Khan, CJP showed reservations over the performance of the chairman and stated, “You are getting a salary of Rs0.5 million but your performance is zero.”

Commenting on the matter of salaries, CJP remarked, “What sort of a province is this where the secretary is being paid less than the Health Care Commission chairman”.

Speaking to Chief Secretary Azam Khan, he added, “Mr secretary! You are a very innocent man. How can a man working as your subordinate receive a higher salary than you?”

The CJP also added that he was satisfied with Azam Khan’s performance. “Chief secretary, you have done good work,” he remarked.

The CJP also summoned report of closing inquiry against a fake doctor Qudratullah. “How was a matric pass doctor appointed in a government hospital? Why was the inquiry stopped on the directions of chief minister?” he questioned.

Moreover, the KP Health Care Commission chairman told the court that at least 15000 fake doctors exist in the province while 122 of them have been banned.

‘WATER SAMPLES FROM PESHAWAR TO BE TESTED IN PUNJAB’:

During the hearing of clean drinking water provision case, CJP instructed the relevant authorities to collect water samples from various areas in Peshawar and send them to laboratories in Punjab to check whether the water is fit for human consumption.

The CJP directed the officials present in court to collect the water samples and then asked how will they get the testing done when the government does not have the required laboratory or technical machinery for it.

“You neither have a laboratory nor high-quality machine. How the tests would then will be conducted,” the CJP remarked and ordered the samples to be sent to Punjab for testing.

‘WISH TO SALUTE KP IG’:

Moving on to law and order issues, the CJP observed that if the court can salute one person, it is the KP Inspector General of Police (IG) Salahuddin Mehsud.

The KP IG informed the CJP that as per the apex court’s orders, the police had retracted security from 1,769 non-essential officials. He explained further that the remaining security cover will also be withdrawn in phases.

“You have done a remarkable job. If the court can salute anyone, I would have done it to you,” said the CJP.

CJP also added that he is satisfied with the performance of the provincial police chief.

Talking to media outside of court IG Salah Ud Din Mehsud said that efforts are underway for calling back the remaining policemen and that the Supreme Court (SC) will be informed of the updates accordingly.

Answering to a question, IG said, “Calling back of policemen from irrelevant people was earlier being done and 900 policemen were already called back”. Moreover, he said the police force was encouraged due to the directives of the SC.

He further added as per the instructions from SC, district and regional police branches have been directed to make recommendations about the individuals and institutions where security is needed. Similarly, he said that even individuals facing terror threats will be given security according to law.

Former provincial minister and Awami National Party Additional Secretary General Wajid Ali Khan when contacted said, “If the SC is sure about an end to terror and satisfied with the security situation, then this decision deserves appreciation.” But he also recalled that in almost every district of KP there is an exhibition and possession of arms openly.

The apex court also heard the plea of a woman who has been seeking her Haq Mehr for the past several decades and ordered authorities to assist the woman.

The apex court was also expected to take up cases related to the closure of roads, conditions of jails, Asma Rani and Mashal Khan murder cases.

The chief justice who has been taking a keen interest in public related issues, particularly better education and healthcare, has visited Peshawar this time after taking up similar suo motu cases in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

‘TIME TO IMPROVE JUDICIAL SYSTEM’:

The CJP later departed for Charsadda where addressing the bar members he said that he has travelled the world and considers this judicial complex one of the best in the world. He thanked the audience for giving him a chance to be present among them.

The CJP said that old laws of the country should be updated, calling for workshops for judges to ensure trial courts manage cases as quickly as possible.

He once again asked judges to ensure speedy justice as per the existing laws. “Even today, I am hearing the cases that were instituted way back in 1985. The cases lodged in 2000 and 2002 are pending disposal.”

“Tell me what answer should I give to these litigants,” he asked. “I was born in 1954 and a few months earlier, I decided a case of 1956.”

“We have to account for the delays and responsibilities entrusted upon us,” Justice Nisar said. If judges will work with passion, he opined, people would get justice speedily.

Explaining the Supreme Court’s use of suo motu powers to enforce fundamental rights , the CJP said that right to life is the most important right.