QUETTA: Taking exception to lack of basic necessities, including clean water, proper healthcare and free education, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday summoned the current and two former chief ministers of Balochistan province to explain what they have done during their respective tenures for the welfare of the people of the province.
Headed by the chief justice, a three-judge bench of the apex court was hearing suo motu cases with regard to poor healthcare facilities, non-provision of potable water, education and young doctors’ strike at the Quetta registry.
CM Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo along with some members of his cabinet appeared before the apex court in response to court summons.
During the course of hearing, Secretary Education Noorul Haq Baloch told the judges that more than one million children are out of schools, whereas over 2 million have been enrolled.
The chief justice asked if the provincial government devised any policy to ensure provision of free education to all children, to which the secretary replied the government has introduced the Balochistan Education Plan.
Justice Nisar said the government is duty bound to provide clean water to the people. When asked about whether the law regarding the ground water level was being implemented, the CM feigned ignorance.
He painted a gloomy picture of the availability of water in the province, saying the province has been facing a drought-like situation for three years and that the government has devised a policy for construction of more dams in the province to address the water woes.
The chief justice said health, education and clean water are fundamental rights of the people.
“There isn’t any policy here. The situation is far from satisfactory,” he observed.
Bizenjo said he recently assumed charge as Balochistan CM. He said he is making serious efforts to improve the situation in the province.
Justice Nisar directed former chief ministers – Abdul Malik Baloch and Sanaullah Zehri – to appear before the apex court tomorrow (Tuesday) to explain what they have done to provide basic necessities to the people.
The chief justice visited Quetta Civil Hospital to review healthcare facilities there. He interacted with patients and also visited the strike camp of young doctors.
At the request of the chief justice, the doctors called off their strike.
