ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday directed former Pakistan Medical and Dental Counci (PMDC) vice president Dr Asim Hussain to appear before it on January 10 and explain the policies he devised, which benefited the private medical colleges to charge exorbitant fee from students.
A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing a suo motu case and a petition filed by PMDC against private medical colleges charging exorbitant fees from students.
The court also directed to implead Pakistan People’s leader and former head of PMDC Dr Asim Hussain as a party in the suo moto case relating to matter of private medical colleges.
The chief justice asked counsel for the PMDC Muhammad Akram Sheikh to implead Dr Asim Hussain as a party in the instant matter. Issuing notice to Dr Asim, the chief justice said, “If he would be present in the country, we direct him to appear in-person before the court.”
He observed that in the current year, his focus will remain on education, health and reforming the judicial system. “I don’t want that any child may expire due to no-provision of adequate medical facilities in the hospital”, the Chief Justice remarked.
Akram Sheikh, submitted that there were 28 private medical colleges in 2007, however, until 2012, the number had increased to 100.
The chief justice noted that due to the malpractices at private medical colleges, the degrees of these institutions awarding to students had no value abroad.
On the occasion, the chief justice wondered as to what happened with the case of Axact Private Limited, adding that he did not know about the outcome of that case.
The chief justice observed that no compromise would be made on important sectors of education and health, adding that whatever be needed they will ensure taking concrete steps for improving these sectors.
Akram Sheikh informed the court that amendments were made to the PMDC laws to protect the interest of the private medical colleges. The chief justice asked as to who was the in-charge of PMDC that time, the counsel replied that in 2012 Dr Asim Hussain was the in-charge.
The chief justice questioned as to where were the doctors when injustice was made with the PMDC.
Dr Mubashir, consultant of PMDC present in the courtroom came to the rostrum and submitted that he was attacked thrice by the private medical colleges. The Chief Justice said, “I wish that I could be attacked also for this noble cause.” He observed that people will implement the decisions of the court in letter and spirit.
“Decisions made on the basis of honesty are implemented by the people as the people of this country are wise”, he noted.
Akram Sheikh submitted that so far there were no laws that could regulate the private medical colleges. He said the custom of accepting donations and patronage from influential people in exchange for admissions of students well below the merit was common knowledge.
Published in Daily Times, January 9th 2018.
