LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought replies from the Punjab chief secretary and health secretary on a contempt petition against the ongoing strike by paramedics and doctors under the banner of the Grand Health Alliance (GHA).

Justice Sultan Tanvir heard a petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP).

JAP Chairman Advocate Azhar Siddique argued before the court that doctors and paramedics made it a routine to paralyze public hospitals and roads across Lahore.

He pointed out that due to their frequent strikes, emergency and outdoor services at the major government hospitals came to a standstill, severely impacting the patient care.

The lawyer argued that under the law, healthcare providers cannot suspend emergency services under any circumstances.

He said the high court in its 2019 order had restrained the doctors from observing strikes.

He claimed that thousands of patients were left without medical attention due to the ongoing protests.

He asked the court to suspend the licences of the protesting doctors and paramedics and initiate contempt proceedings against them.

After hearing the arguments, the judge directed the respondents to submit their replies by the next Thursday.

GREENBELTS: The LHC on Thursday sought a detailed report from the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) on the restoration of greenbelts and the construction of illegal plazas since 2019.

Justice Shahid Karim heard petitions filed by Advocate Syed Moazzam Ali Shah and others.

The judge also ordered that a detailed report on illegal parking be submitted at the next hearing.

He also instructed the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (Tepa) to provide information on the “drop-off line” and other SOPs of a new private school in Gulberg.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2025