SC to hear coronavirus suo motu notice on May 18

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – A new bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed will hear the coronavirus suo motu notice on May 18. The five-member bench will comprise of Justice Mashir Alam, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan and Justice Qazi Amin. On the court, the federal and Punjab governments have submitted their reports. The Punjab government claimed that no embezzlement was made in the Zakat fund. It also apprised the court about the decisions of the National Coordination Committee. During the last hearing on May 4, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed had ordered the federal government to form a uniform policy about coronavirus. He remarked that they would issue an interim order if the uniform policy was not formed in the stipulated time. Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed remarked that conditions are deteriorating across the country. “One should ask the people who lost their jobs that how their life is going on,” he remarked. He expressed his indignation at the reports presented by the federal and provincial government. “It is possible that the intention of President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan is good. But no work is seen being done,” he remarked. He ordered the government to do work with good intent and transparency. “Whether the people disappearing wheat can be called as human beings?” What can we expect from the people devouring the money of Zakat?” The chief justice remarked that one part of the country had been divided and the fire is going on in other parts. “A provincial minister says we will register a case against the federal government. It means the minister has lost his senses. The Sindh government says that 150 factories will be allowed to operate. All factories should be allowed to operate after formulating a comprehensive policy,” he remarked. The attorney general told court that the decision on easing or extension in the lockdown will be made in a meeting of the National Security Committee. “All decisions will be made with consensus. There is no shortage of facilities with regard to coronavirus,” he said. Chief Justice Guzlar Ahmed questioned the Health secretary whether he had visited the quarantine centre established in Islamabad’s Haji Camp. The attorney general replied that he had visited the centre. “The facilities of bed and water are available in centre, but there is no electricity there,” he said. Justice Umar Atta Bandial remarked that the reason behind lack of cooperation between the federal government and provinces is arrogance and pride.