IHC summons joint secretary in PMDC contempt case

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday summoned the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination joint secretary and section officer in the PMDC contempt case.

During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani remarked that the PMDC (Pakistan Medical and Dental Council) should disburse the salaries of employees if funds were available.

As the proceedings began, the additional attorney general said the matter was pending with the Supreme Court, to which Justice Kiyani remarked that they would wait for the judgment.

However, the court summoned Joint Secretary Saeedullah Niazi and Section Officer Ali on the next hearing as the further proceedings were adjourned till April 21.

See Also: Supreme Court stops PMDC registrar from working

Justice Kiyani asked whether the assets of PMDC had been recovered, to which its registrar Hafeez-ud-Din informed the court that five vehicles were still missing.

He added that a letter was written to the defunct Pakistan Medical Council (PMC) chairman on the subject but no reply had been received so far.

The IHC judge remarked that Hafeez was responsible for the PMDC affairs and he should get a theft case registered.

During the last hearing on Tuesday, Hafeez in a written report had informed the IHC that some important record and items – including laptops, hard disc and five vehicles – were missing.

But a three-member Supreme Court bench on Wednesday had stopped Hafeez from working and observed that he could not enter the office premises.

The orders came as the apex court was hearing an application filed by the federal government.

The court observed that the ordinance under which he was appointed had ceased to exist and that the IHC did not have the authority to restore him to his office.

During the hearing, Attorney General Khalid Javed said the registrar had entered the PMDC building after breaking into the locks.

He added that the court enjoyed the right to appoint any retired judge as the PMDC president. It could reappoint Justice (retd) Shakirullah Jan or opt for any other retired judge, said the attorney general.

Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that IHC could not pass such orders on a contempt of court plea, while Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed said the PMDC had the powers to decide about the registrar and other employees.

The chief justice also observed that the process of registering thousands of doctors had stopped due to the affairs at the PMDC.