Islamabad, Nov 17 (TNS): The Supreme Court on Saturday dissolved the Board of Commissioners-Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) and ordered for a new board to be formed within two weeks.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar had yesterday summoned Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and members of the PHC board to explain the resignation of retired Justice Amir Raza A Khan from the post of the commission’s chairperson.
The matter had caught the court’s attention during a suo motu case regarding exorbitant prices of health facilities at private hospitals.
After the hearing resumed today, the CJP, while heading a two-member bench, asked for a certain Hussain Naqvi.
“Where is Hussain Naqvi because of whom retired Justice Amir Raza A Khan was forced to resign?” the top judge asked.
Naqvi answered Justice Nisar’s call, at which the judge asked him to introduce himself.
“I have been the union secretary of Islamia College,” Naqvi said. “So leave the board and run the union,” the judge countered.
“Why should I leave? I have been elected,” Naqvi shot back.
The chief justice informed Naqvi that the board now stands dissolved, and also expressed his displeasure at him raising his voice in court.
“How dare you raise your voice in court,” he fumed. “We will give you a contempt-of-court notice.”
“I am 20 years your senior,” Naqi pleaded. “Hear me out!”
At this, the chief justice said: “You are an impudent man, [you should] ask the court for forgiveness. Take Hussain Naqvi out of my court.”
Naqvi tendered his apology to the court.
During yesterday’s hearing, the chief justice had taken strong notice of alleged humiliation meted out to retired Justice Khan in the first meeting of the commission’s board.
He had observed that the political government would not be allowed to capture the independence of regulatory authorities.
When asked to explain the episode, PHC chief operating officer Dr Ajmal Khan had expressed his inability to disclose the information for being an employee of the commission.
At this, the chief justice had directed Dr Rashid, the health minister, and all the members of the board of commissioners to appear before him on Saturday (today).
