Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed has rebuked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led federal government for its “insufficient” measures to contain the new coronavirus, declaring that “nothing is being done on ground”.
The top judge’s remarks came as COVID-19 infections in Pakistan crossed 3,500 with at least 52 deaths on Monday.
Hearing an appeal against the verdict announced by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the CJP directed the government to grant bail to low-risk under-trial prisoners (UTPs) during the pandemic.
At the outset of the hearing, he said that the government had closed the out-patient departments (OPDs) of all hospitals, leaving no place for patients to seek treatment at such a crucial time.
“Hospitals have been closed when we need them. Up till now, 10 hospitals with 1,000 beds each should have been made operational,” he said.
“Everyone is talking about funds, no one is doing anything. The public has been left at the mercy of God,” he remarked. The chief justice also criticised the government’s efforts to encourage people to stay indoors in order to curb the spread of the disease.
The attorney general (AG) said that the federal government is taking best possible measures to fight the deadly contagion. He further stated that another report, apprising about the situation in the country has also been submitted before the court.
The top judge said that Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari filed a reply that the Peshawar High Court has ordered the release of 3,200 prisoners.
The AG replied that no such verdict was given by the (PHC), adding that the human rights minister might be mistaken.
The chief justice also questioned the competence of State Minster for Health Dr Zafar Mirza, saying that he is just being given coverage on media on a daily basis.
The top court remarked that no one has come from the Defence Ministry. “The court needs to inquire about what the Defence Ministry is up to,” the SC remarked.
To this, the AG responded that no one from the ministry was summoned yet.
On Saturday, senior lawyer Khawaja Haris had urged the top court to reconsider its decision of revoking the IHC ruling. In a set of recommendations submitted to the apex court, Haris said that the IHC had announced the verdict in line with the law due to the ongoing crisis.
He had said that it is imperative that measures are taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
