ISLAMABAD: After addressing the appointments of permanent heads in the city’s hospitals, the chief justice of Pakistan on Monday took up the case of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Cardiac Centre, where staff have not been paid for three years.

A doctor at the centre, Dr Mahrukh, said before the court that she has not been paid for three years and was only surviving because her husband was taking care of her expenses.

Dr Mahrukh was interrupted by Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Additional Secretary Jamal Yousuf, who claimed that cardiac centre staff were involved in taking money from patients and the Prime Minister’s Office had received a complaint in this regard.

Mr Yousuf also said that a doctor at the cardiac centre is facing a sexual harassment allegation.

However, Dr Mohammad Faisal – another doctor from the centre – said the auditor general’s report has failed out staff. He also read from the report, which stated that money was deposited in Pims’ accounts, and there was no proof that staff had received any direct payment from patient.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan said it was a failure of the government if the money was received.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed the CADD additional secretary to stop interfering in the affairs of Pims and claimed it was not necessary than a mal would always be declared guilty in sexual harassment cases. He also said the FIA would be involved for an inquiry into the sexual harassment allegation.

The chief justice also asked why a liver transplant centre could not be established at the hospital.

Pims Executive Director Dr Raja Amjad said expert doctors and staff were needed for the liver transplant centre, who demand larger salaries and therefore could not be appointed.

The chief justice directed that a summary be sent to the court which will be forwarded to the prime minister. He said the court wished to see Pims performing well, and called the CADD secretary to the next hearing.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2018