Chief Justice Saqib Nisar dissolves PHC

LAHORE- On November 17^th, Supreme Court Pakistan dissolved the Board of Commissioners of Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC), and ordered for a new one to be formed in two weeks’ time.



Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid along with other members of the board appeared before the court on being summoned. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, heard the matter at Supreme Court Lahore Registry.

The chief justice expressed disappointment over the performance of the healthcare commission and questioned Dr Yasmin Rashid regarding the appointment of board members that were unable to fulfil their duties. To that Dr Rashid informed the bench that board members were appointed as per procedure i.e. on recommendations of the responsible committee.

Addressing a board member, Hussain Naqi, the chief justice inquired about Naqi’s misbehavior with Justice (retd) Amir Raza Khan, who was then serving as the board’s chairman. Naqi went on to defend himself instead of proposing apology. Advocate Shafqat Mehmood Chohan, a member of the board, told the bench of the exchange of hot words that had taken place between Hussain Naqi and past chairman of PHC board, Amir Raza Khan. He also remarked that Khan’s resignation had no link with the mentioned unpleasant event.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, a member of the bench, observed that the health commission board seemed to be taken over politics.

Subsequently, the bench decided to dissolve the PHC board, and ordered for the formation of a new board within two weeks.