Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the federal government to immediately restore the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). IHC declared the federal government’s decision to dissolve the PMDC null and void.
The court has also issued contempt notices to the federal government and health department for not implementing its orders. The court also showed displeasure over the government’s failure to restore PMDC.
On February 11 IHC declared presidential ordinance of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) null and void. But, the government seems not bothered to comply with the orders.
Now, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resumed hearing the contempt case on Monday. He said the PMDC should be made functional today. The authorities should break the lock on its building and make its registrar sit there. “A report should be submitted to the court in one hour,” the judge said.
He also said that the health secretary will be sent to jail for six months if the building is not opened in an hour.
However, even after the immediate restoration orders, the government still doesn’t seem bothered with the court orders. Reportedly, the registrar is still not allowed to enter the PMDC building even after an hour.
I along with Registrar, PMDC are outside the PMDC premises. The Government despite making undertaking before Court still not allowing Registrar,PMDC to enter the premises.#IHC #PMDC https://t.co/MCgzFgqo4I
— Umar Sajjad Chaven (@Umaradv1) March 30, 2020
The judge remarked that not implementing the court’s orders will be considered as contempt. “This is a slap on the court’s face. Such behavior does not suit the federal government,” said Justice Kayani. Adding that the government should be ashamed.
The high court also declared the establishment of the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) as illegal and unlawful.
Many employees become victims of the government’s order
Around 220 employees of the council become victims of PMC ordinance promulgated by President Dr. Arif Alvi in October last year. Subsequently, the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) took over the PMDC building overnight and asked for the suspension of the services of the council employees.
Many doctors and health professionals bashed Imran Khan’s government when they made many doctors and medical staff jobless. After mutual deliberation, the employees challenged the ordinance in the IHC.
The candidates who have passed their MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) final year examinations recently have been in a quandary on how to get registered with PMDC. It is non-functional practically or PMC whose formation has been declared illegal by the IHC.
Without getting registered with PMDC, the fresh MBBS degree holders are unable to get house jobs and in the existing state of uncertainty, the graduates have no other option but to get their time wasted.
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