Lahore (Staff Report/Agencies): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisarthe has observed that access to healthcare is a citizen's basic right, adding that all projects like Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) will be closed down if health and education sectors are not improved.
A two-member bench of the apex court headed by the chief justice and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan on Saturday resumed hearing in a suo motu notice on the state of public hospitals in Punjab at the SC's Lahore registry.
"Providing healthcare is our responsibility," the chief justice stated, adding that the purpose of taking notice is not to take action but improve the situation.
"Will close down all projects, including Orange Line Metro Train, if health and education sectors are not improved," the chief justice warned the provincial government.
"Instead of seeking publicity on TV, the government should improve the situation in hospitals," the chief justice remarked during the hearing.
The court also warned of closing down all private clinics that government doctors operate after office hours if the situation does not improve.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Nisar observed that the Punjab government is spending millions of rupees on its publicity.
In its remarks, the court stated that free medicines aren’t being made available yet funds are being spent on publicity campaigns.
The court also summoned affidavits of medical superintendents of all public hospitals and also directed the government-run hospitals to submit their audit reports.