LAHORE – Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Sunday ordered the forensic audit of expenses worth Rs20 billions of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI). The chief justice was heading a two-member bench to hear the suo motu case against the irregularities in PKLI. Irked by the head of the institute Doctor Saeed Akhtar, the chief justice barred him from travelling abroad without court’s permit. The bench inquired from Saeed Akhtar about the details of expenditure of 20 billion rupees which was allocated to the institution from the national exchequer. The CJP remarked that no one will be allowed to run away from the process of accountability. “Hiring doctors on salaries as excessive as 1.2 million rupees, that’s how you serve your country?” the CJP crossly asked. President of British Doctors Association of Pakistani Origin launched a campaign on twitter #RESPECT_DR_SAEEED to support his fellow Dr Saeed. https://twitter.com/anaulhaq/status/1003283709557080064 While pointing out the irregularities in the construction process, the top judge stated that even the finest construction are done at the rate of 3,000 per square feet but PKLI got it done at the price of 10,100 per square feet. “Should we not summon former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif for him to witness the situation here?” Saqib Nisar remarked while adding, “This is not a kingdom that would run on the orders from the king. Everyone has to go through strict accountability and those responsible for the corruption will be punished.” In an attempt to justify, Doctor Saeed said that his career is not tainted with any corruption and Shehbaz Sharif has nothing to do with the salaries of PKLI employees. The apex court directed to submit a complete forensic report of the institution’s expenses in three weeks duration. PKLI came under fire in March after comparisons were drawn between doctors who worked at government hospitals and those at PKLI. The CJP had expressed anger at the gap between salaries. During a hearing on March 24, the CJP took notice of disparity in salaries of doctors working at government-owned health facilities, saying those called from abroad are paid a hefty sum while the local ones are given a small amount. The chief justice had remarked PKLI is an institute which hires foreign doctors. But what was the fault of doctors performing duties earnestly at government hospitals, he asked. He had demanded the government hospital doctors also be paid a high salary so that they did not have to practise illegally, and are able to fulfil their duties at government hospitals with honesty.
