ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday imposed a ban on appointments at government hospitals in Islamabad on the pretext of ‘pre-poll rigging’.
A three-member bench of the court presided over by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar was a hearing a case pertaining to facilities in hospitals in the federal capital.
During the hearing, the CJP remarked that only two months of the sitting government were left and new appointments at this time meant that the government was trying to woo voters, which the court couldn’t allow.
“When the new government will come into power, it will see the matters of new appointments,” the CJP added.
Commenting on the quorum in parliament, the CJP said that “quorum is not complete in parliament; official works are not completed either and then they say the courts interfere”.
Concerning the incumbent head of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the CJP said the biggest hospital of Islamabad stands deprived of its head, adding that the ad-hoc appointment be abolished within two months and a regular head be appointed.
Upon which, CADD Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that a summary for the appointment of the PIMS head has been sent to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, adding that the appointment will be made soon.
The additional attorney general (AAG) told the court that the summary pertaining to the head of the PIMS will be submitted to the PM on Monday.
Consequently, the CJP remarked, “We want a clean head of PIMS. The appointment should not be made on the basis of nepotism. Tell us what will be the quota of the appointment as we will not allow [government to lure] voters through appointments.”
The CJP further remarked that the advertisement for appointment be withdrawn as the court would see to it. Dr Tariq Fazal requested that the government should not be stopped from making new appointments as it would create difficulties for people.
Moreover, the court ordered that government should appoint a regular head of National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) within six months.
While summoning the PM’s secretary and CADD secretary, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till March 26.
