CJP Gulzar takes first suo motu notice over inadequate facilities at hospitals

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Friday took his first suo motu notice regarding the shortage of facilities in hospitals to control the coronavirus epidemic in the country.

The chief justice of Pakistan has sent notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan, advocate generals and chief secretaries of the four provinces, federal health and interior secretaries, chief commissioner Islamabad and chief secretary Gilgit Baltistan (GB) to respond in the matter.

Justice Ahmed has asked the respondents to give details of what has been done so far to restrain the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

A five-member large bench of the top court will conduct the hearing regarding the suo motu notice on 13 April.

It is worth to mention here that this was the first suo motu notice by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed after he took oath as country’s chief judge on 21 December, 2019.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre’s latest statistics, the confirmed COVD-19 cases in Pakistan on Friday reached 4,601, As many as 284 new cases of the disease were reported across the country during last 24 hours.

So far 467 patients have recovered from the deadly virus, whereas the death toll has surged to 66. Four more patients died yesterday due to novel COVID-19 related complications while 31 people are said to be in critical condition across the country.

A country-wide lockdown is being observed till 14 April to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Meanwhile, due to the growing pressure from the business community, who are facing huge losses due to lockdown, the authorities have decided to allow business activities with complete precautionary steps after 14 April.