Zubair Qureshi
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ordered the Federal government to issue five-month salary to the sacked employees of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
IHC Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani issued the written judgment regarding the restoration of PMDC.
The IHC asked the government to release funds to clear the salaries of PMDC employees who had been terminated as the council dissolved.
The order stated that the registrar PMDC prepared a report regarding payment of salaries to the employees with the consultation of accounts department.
The court subsequently disposed of the petition seeking contempt of court proceeding against the health ministry for not implementing the court orders regarding restoration of PMDC and its employees’ services. The court also ordered the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination to stop registration of new doctors and medical students stating that it was the mandate of PM&DC.
The IHC directed the registrar PM&DC to took charge of his office and start performing its legal duties under the policy of the federal government.
Meanwhile, Registrar PMDC Brigadier (R) Hafizuddin Siddiqui was once again turned away from the gate of the PMDC despite orders of the IHC to take charge of the office and resume working as Registrar of the council. The government however, despite the court’s clear orders seems reluctant to release salaries to the restored employees.
Brig Hafizuddin Siddiqui was made to wait for two hours while a day earlier he had to wait for six hours and on both occasions, the council administration didn’t let him in despite the fact he had orders of the court.
Later, while talking to media, Brig Siddiqui said he had no option but to resort to the court once again. “I will move a contempt petition in the court and tell the hon’ble judge what they are doing to me and the court’s orders,” said he.
Justice Kiyani had warned the officials concerned that he would send them to jail if they obstructed Registrar in complying with the court’s orders. However, he was asked to come to the next day (Wednesday) but the same story was repeated on that day as well.
I reached the ministry at 10:30am hoping that a written order to make the council functional would be issued in minutes. I met Secretary Health Dr Tanveer Ahmed Qureshi but was told to wait,” Mr Siddiqui told.
“Later, I was informed that the file of the PMDC was not available due to which it was not possible to find the specimen letter to make the council functional. I said in the past similar letters were issued by the ministry and I can provide a copy of the letter issued in the past. So I arranged the letter and provided a copy to the ministry and then once again a long wait started.”
He said at around 4:30pm the secretary told him that the letter will be issued after getting the written orders of the IHC. On Wednesday, he had with him the court’s order but even then he was not allowed inside the council’s office.
