CJP takes notice of deteriorating health, education, water shortage situation in Balochistan

QUETTA, April 9 (APP):A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Mansoor Ali Monday heard urgent cases regarding situation of health, education and water shortage in Balochistan at the Supreme Court’s Quetta Registry.
Expressing concern over public issues during the hearing, the CJP directed former Balochistan chief ministers Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch to appear before the court Tuesday morning.
The chief justice observed that under the Articles 199 and 184, the apex court had the right to intervene in case of exploitation of fundamental rights
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo also appeared before court along with Health Minister Mir Majid Abro. Following the hearing, the two accompanied the chief justice during his visit to hospitals in the provincial capital.
The hearing focused on the condition of government hospitals and medical colleges in the province.
Stating that Balochistan was “extremely important”, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar said, “I want to tour some hospitals.”
The CJP along with the chief minister visited Civil Hospital Quetta, where he interacted with patients. He also visited a strike camp of paramedics and young doctors there.
Justice Nisar ordered the authorities to listen to the demands of the protesting doctors and present a report to him. Following the CJP’s visit, the medics called off their strike.
The CJP said he was looking into whether private medical colleges were being run as businesses. “Some private medical colleges charge over Rs 2 million fee,” he said.
Reiterating his commitment to ensure that the medical colleges did not charge exorbitant fees, the CJP said, “We want the money to be returned to the students.” He ordered the private medical colleges to refund any fee they charged above Rs 856,000 annually.