KARACHI: The acting chief justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC), Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, emphasised the urgent need to prioritise critical sectors such as healthcare, education and justice, stressing that healthcare should be non-commercial and accessible to all citizens.

He said this at the 5th Healthcare Summit 2025 and Healthcare Awa­rds ceremony organised by the Cons­umers Association of Pakistan (CAP).

Justice Rajput expressed concern over unethical practices within the medical field. He criticised the widespread practice of doctors prescribing medicines at the behest of pharmaceutical company representatives, calling it “a form of bribery” that must be stopped immediately.

“The focus must shift towards ensuring healthcare is a public service, not a commercial enterprise,” he said, urging the government to take concrete steps towards reforming essential public sectors.

Justice Rajput stresses urgent need to prioritise healthcare, education and justice

He highlighted constitutional provisions, noting that Article 9 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life for every citizen, while Article 38 places the responsibility on the state to provide basic necessities, including healthcare.

The event was hosted by CAP Chairman Kaukab Iqbal and attended by several prominent figures, including Member of the National Assembly and Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, businessman and Honorary Consul General of Mozambique Khalid Tawab, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Karachi) Irfan Soomro and Dr Abdul Bari Khan, CEO of Indus Hospital, among other notable personalities. The Consul General of Indonesia was also present at the ceremony.

The summit recognised outstanding contributions to the healthcare sector and aimed to foster dialogue on policy reforms, ethical practices and improved access to medical services across Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2025