CJP Ahmed takes suo motu notice of measures taken to battle coronavirus

[ghazi52]

CJP Ahmed takes suo motu notice of measures taken to battle coronavirus

Haseeb Bhatti
April 10, 2020

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed had bemoaned the government’s decision to shut down health facilities for people suffering from ailments other than Covid-19 by closing OPDs. — Dawn/File


Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Friday took a suo motu notice of the government's efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

A five-member bench headed by the chief justice and comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed held the first hearing of the case today. The next hearing will be held on April 13.

This is the first suo motu notice taken by Justice Ahmed as the country's top judge.

The court issued notices to the attorney general and additional attorney general of Pakistan as well as AGs of all four provinces and Gilgit Baltistan. Secretaries of interior and health have also been served with notices along with chief secretaries of all four provinces as well as GB.

Earlier this week, the chief justice had bemoaned the government’s decision to shut down health facilities for people suffering from ailments other than Covid-19 by closing out-patient departments (OPDs) in all hospitals across the country in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

He made the above observations during the hearing of a petition challenging the exercise of suo motu powers by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) through its March 20 order to grant bail to under-trial prisoners (UTPs) in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The chief justice had also criticised the government's response to the health crisis, saying that "nothing was being done on the ground".

Justice Ahmed raised objections over government's decision to impose a lockdown, provinces' demands for funds to buy gloves, sanitisers and other medical supplies, lack of testing kits and grim media coverage of the situation.

"People will die after hearing such frightening remarks,” he had said.

Following the chief justice's criticism, governments of Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced that OPDs were being reopened.

Measures taken so far
So far, 4,688 cases of Covid-19 have emerged in Pakistan, most of which have been detected in Punjab.

In view of increasing cases, the provincial governments first closed educational institutions and banned all gatherings, including weddings and then proceeded to impose lockdowns in order to curb the spread of the disease. Prayer congregations were limited as well.

The Centre, after coordinating with all provinces and federal territories, allocated Rs144 billion to the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme under which Rs12,000 will be provided to 12 million families each. The programme was initiated to provide relief to lower-income people, especially daily-wage workers who have lost work due to the ongoing lockdown. Sindh and Punjab pledged to contribute funding for the assistance of additional 700,000 and 250,000 persons, respectively.

The federal government has also recruited volunteers for its Corona Tigers Relief Force, which would help the government in its relief efforts.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority is making efforts to procure medical equipment including ventilators, personal protective equipment for medical professionals as well as masks, gloves and additional testing kits from other countries, including China.

 

[ghazi52]

Government submits reply to CJP's suo motu on coronavirus crisis

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Saturday submitted a response to apex court explaining the measures taken so far to curb the spread of the coronavirus, a day after Chief Justice Justice Gulzar Ahmed took his first suo motu notice on the government's response to the virus.

A day earlier, the Supreme Court judge had sent notices to the attorney general, the health secretary and the interior secretary over the inadequate facilities at the government's disposal to combat the virus.

In response to its concerns, the government assured the top court that authorities are taking all possible measures to curtail the rapid spread of the virus in the country.

As a preventive measure, 83 thermal scanners have so far been installed at various locations. Moreover, special counters have been set up to facilitate travelers and suspected coronavirus patients at all international airports, the top court was informed.

In line with other initiatives taken by the state to tackle the crisis, surveillance on the crossing of Taftan, Chaman and Torkham border has been tightened and quarantine centres for suspected patients have been established in 154 districts across the country.

A hearing in the matter by a five-member larger bench will resume on April 13.

On April 1, the same five-member bench, comprising the chief justice, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Amin Ahmed, had also heard the matter of the release of under-trial prisoners amid the virus' outbreak. A petition had been filed against the prisoners' release ordered by the Sindh and Islamabad high courts.

“Under what law can suspects and accused be released?” the CJP had asked while hearing arguments. He noted that it was already very difficult to arrest the accused in cases.

“The police are already busy with the coronavirus emergency. How can we let criminals be out on the roads as well?” he had asked.

He said robberies have already started taking place in Karachi soon after the release of prisoners. The due process of law will have to followed before such a thing can be allowed, the chief justice had ruled.

The Supreme Court then ordered over 500 prisoners — temporarily released to slow the spread of coronavirus — to be re-arrested, as it overturned the high courts’ judgments.

An exception was however made in the case of prisoners accused of minor crimes.

Pakistan has reported 4,980 cases of the coronavirus and 80 deaths. Of the total infected, Punjab has the highest count — 2,410, whereas Sindh comes in second with 1,318.

A countrywide lockdown is being observed until April 14 to curb the spread of the virus. Owing to pressure from the business community, who are facing great losses, as well as concerns surrounding the livelihood of daily wage workers, the provinces are mulling over whether or not to extend the lockdown period.

 

[SEOminati]

I wonder when suo Moto will be taken against high courts releasing certified thieves and against pathetic condition of justice and judiciary here.

Ye sab milke hum ko pagal bana rahe hain.