KARACHI: While dismissing a set of petitions challenging relocation and reorganisation of the Sindh Services Hospital in connection with the proposed redevelopment and expansion of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), the Sindh High Court has observed that impugned administrative arrangement has not suffered from any constitutional or legal defect.

However, a two-judge bench of the SHC comprising Justice Muhammad Saleem Jessar and Justice Abdul Hamid Bhurgri directed the authorities concerned to ensure that during the period of relocation/redevelopment, adequate alternative arrangements remain functional and reasonably accessible so essential medical, diagnostic and treatment services and functions presently being provided, are not discontinued merely on account of relocation.

It also ordered the respondents to maintain appropriate coordination among Sindh Services Hospital, Sarfaraz Rafique Shaheed Hospital, the CHK and such other public institutions as may form part of the approved arrangement in order to ensure the persons otherwise entitled to such facilities are not left without an effective alternative facility.

It further asked the authorities that the impugned administrative arrangement, must be pursued with due diligence and be completed within the timeframe stipulated in the approved project plan.

The bench has issued such directives while dismissing a set of identical petitions filed against the decision of the Sindh government/health department concerning relocation/reorganisation of the Sindh Services Hospital in connection with the proposed redevelopment and expansion of the Civil Hospital.

Asks authorities to ensure provision of essential medical services through alternative means

The petitioners asserted that the hospital has been providing medical, diagnostic and allied healthcare facilities to serving and former government employees and other persons entitled thereto and the impugned relocation/ reorganisation of its functions would adversely affect the beneficiaries presently availing such facilities and pleaded to set aside the impugned administrative decision.

The advocate general of Sindh opposed the petitions and contended that the impugned arrangement was a policy and administrative decision as part of a broader redevelopment plan intended to augment the capacity and infrastructure of the CHK while the Sindh Services Hospital was neither being abolished nor the services presently available to the beneficiaries were being discontinued.

The bench in its order stated that the constitutional power of judicial review, though fundamental to maintaining legality of executive action, did not permit the court to substitute its own view for that of the competent authority on matters of policy, technical planning or allocation of public resources.

It also said: “In the present matters, no material has been placed before us which may establish that the impugned administrative arrangement suffers from any jurisdictional, constitutional or legal defect warranting interference in constitutional jurisdiction.”

The bench further observed that several assertions, raised by the petitioners, including those related to comparative adequacy of existing and proposed facilities, availability of diagnostic equipment and other consequences likely to follow from relocation, were disputed by the respondents.

“We are, therefore, not persuaded to interfere with the impugned policy/administrative decision merely on the basis of the apprehensions expressed in these petitions. Nevertheless, the matter concerns healthcare facilities being utilised by government employees, retired employees and other persons entitled thereto. The process of relocation and redevelopment should not result in avoidable interruption of essential healthcare services,” it added.

The bench also directed the authorities to adhere to arrangements and assurances disclosed before the court and ensure that during the period of relocation/ redevelopment, adequate alternative arrangements remain functional and reasonably accessible so that essential medical, diagnostic and treatment services, as well as medical-fitness, disability and age verification functions presently being provided, were not discontinued merely on account of relocation.

“The concerned authorities shall maintain appropriate coordination amongst Sindh Services Hospital, Sarfaraz Rafique Shaheed Hospital, Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital and such other public institutions as may form part of the approved arrangement, so that persons otherwise entitled to these facilities are not left without an effective alternate facility”, it concluded.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2026