IHC reprimands health secretary for not de-sealing PMDC building

Justice Mohsin Akhtar conducted hearing on case pertaining to the restoration of the PMDC building

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday reprimanded Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Secretary Dr Tauqeer Ahmad Qureshi for not de-sealing the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) building. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani conducted hearing on case pertaining to the restoration of the PMDC and contempt of court in which secretary health, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqaat and Ramna police station SHO were present.

The court ordered the registrar to start proceedings with limited staff and to immediately remove the security personnel of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

The health secretary told the IHC that public gatherings are banned and people in groups gather at the PMDC building. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani rebuked the health secretary while remarking that he cannot dictate the court.

It is the duty of the registrar to see who should visit the PMDC, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said while adding that the federal government has already humiliated Pakistan before the entire world by sealing the PMDC building.

The court gave last warning to the health secretary to open the PMDC building. No person from the ministry or the SHO will visit the PMDC, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani directed.

The IHC instructed the health secretary to focus on the internal affairs of the ministry, to which he replied that he has always listened to all the complainants who visited him. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said, “Do you consider yourself as a king?”

“Respect doctors, as you are also a civil servant. These are not normal circumstances. It is a situation of war,” Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani concluded.