QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court has admitted for regular hearing a constitutional petition challenging the private practice of government-employed doctors.

A two-judge BHC bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barech and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi, after an initial hearing, issued notices to the provincial chief secretary and relevant officials, directing them to submit formal responses at the next hearing.

The petition was filed by Advocate Nargis through senior counsel Muhammad Riaz Ahmed Advocate. It argues that, under Article 19(a) of the Constitution and the Right to Information Act, the public has the right to know under what legal authority government doctors — who are full-time public servants — are permitted to engage in private practice at hospitals and clinics.

The chief and health secretaries, and the Balochistan Healthcare Commission have been named as respondents in the petition.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2025