LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday said the court wanted United Christian Hospital (UCH) restored in six weeks.
The hospital, which was a gift from the Christian community, is suffering from a lack of funding for necessary restoration and renovation.
As the Supreme Court (SC) resumed hearing the case at its Lahore registry, the chief justice formed a five-member committee to submit recommendations for the restoration of the hospital.
He also gave orders for the dispensation of resources and necessary measures to free hospital land from encroachments and land mafia.
The top judge expressed annoyance at the dismal condition of UCH and said that there was “neither doctor nor electricity” available at the hospital.
“There are four operation theatres in the hospital of which only one is operational,” Justice Nisar lamented.
He ordered the committee, which is to be headed by former interim health minister Dr Jawad Sajid Khan, to submit its recommendations by Dec 3.
“We have restored electricity in the hospital,” Justice Nisar said, directing Parks and Horticulture Authority to “watch over [UCH’s] cleaning up”.
“I will visit UCH for his medical checkup,” the CJP said.
“This [hospital] is an icon of Lahore,” the chief justice said. “We want it to operate once again.”
On Sunday, Justice Nisar had visited the hospital and taken a look at its wards. He had also convened a meeting with the hospital administration that apprised him of the problems.
Last week, the top judge had ordered the chief secretary to come up with a restoration plan for the hospital within a week.
He had stressed that the “Christian community should not feel deprived” and resources should be allocated for restoration of the hospital.