STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD The Supreme Court on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza in tackling the coronavirus outbreak and directed the federal government to remove him from his post. The court, in its order, sought a reply from all four provincial governments and the Gilgit-Baltistan government regarding steps taken to curb the spread of the virus. The order, however, made no mention of Mirza’s removal. The detailed order is expected in two days. A five-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, heard the case. Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed are also on the bench. Responding to the CJP’s comments regarding dismissing Mirza, Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan said removing the PM’s aide at this point and time would be disastrous. “Do not change him mid-flight,” he said, urging the court to leave the matter up to the federal government. The court also took the Sindh government to task over the decision to cordon off 11 union councils, observing that there were no arrangements in place to provide the people with food and medicines The court directed the Sindh government to present a report regarding ration distribution in the province. The hearing was adjourned till Monday. Earlier in the hearing, the SC had questioned the performance of the federal government in tackling the coronavirus situation. “I cannot understand what kind of a team is working on the coronavirus outbreak,” the CJP remarked, adding that there was an entire army of advisers and ministers but work was still not being done. The CJP also said that corrupt people have been made advisers, and subsequently given the same status as federal ministers. There are serious allegations against many top government officials, the CJP observed. “Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet has become ineffective,” CJP Gulzar remarked. “I am sorry to say this but the premier has distanced himself [from the issue].” The Centre and provincial governments are at odds with one another while politicians are making different claims, he said. The attorney general replied that Pakistan has gotten an honest premier for the very first time. “If the [country’s] situation does not improve then we don’t know what will happen,” he said. The CJP replied: “We fear that this chance may also be wasted. We don’t have any doubts about the prime minister’s honesty
