–Chief Justice Nisar says he simply wants people to be given their rights
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday said that he as well as the other Supreme Court judges are devoid of any political inclination and do not want to adjudicate political matters.
“I was the smallest lawyer [in stature] of the country, even now I am the smallest judge”, Justice Nisar said and added, “I do not even want to touch political cases”.
While hearing a suo motu case regarding a hike in prices of medicines, the CJP stated that he wished for the people of Pakistan to get clean water, food and basic health facilities.
The CJP said that the court does not want anyone to bear any losses, reiterating that the court did not have any political purpose. “If anyone wants to test us, now is the time.”
He said that the time has arrived to show that something is being done and that he simply wants people to be given their rights. “It is my desire that medicine would be sold at cheaper prices. I also urge all lawyers to assist us. The time has come to do something for the country and our intentions are very clear”, the CJP stated.
“In the pensions case, we [the bench] got the pension increased from Rs1,300 to Rs8,000 for widows so that they can at least buy a painkiller for themselves,” Justice Nisar said.
During the course of the hearing, the CJP observed that the rise in medicine prices can only be done in accordance with the drug policy issued by Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
CJP ordered to release the list of companies who did not share data. He said that it is binding on them to adhere to the DRAP policies that are drafted and there will be no room for error once it’s regulated.
He reiterated,”The Supreme Court will monitor all the affairs with respect to the price hike and will provide other organisations with guidelines as well”.
Medicinal companies lawyer Rasheed Rizvi during the hearing said that in 2013 the drug prices were hiked up by 15 per cent but they were then revised and lowered on the directions of the then-prime minister.
The court later adjourned the hearing of the case until February 28.
