PIC scandal to bring more problems for government

The havoc caused by the spurious medicines of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) might be over for the institute’s patients but its ramifications for Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif are unlikely to abate soon.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday adjourned till February 22 hearing of a petition seeking disqualification of the CM and his son, MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, over the loss of precious lives first by dengue and now by the PIC medicines.
The petition was filed by Muhammad Fakhir Razzaq. The petitioner’s counsel Khurram Latif Khosa, son of the Punjab governor, pleaded that the CM had failed to prove himself to be trustworthy, a prerequisite for all the representatives according to Article 62 of the constitution, while his son was supporting owners of the spurious medicines of PIC, Al-Falah Pharma.
He also alleged that the CM held the portfolio of health minister without even having the basic knowledge of the medical field, thus playing with countless precious lives, a loss never to be undone.
The counsel requested the court that the respondents be declared murderers of patients and hence permanently disqualified. He also requested that to save lives of people the CM be restrained from holding office.
In yet another development, the Defective Drugs Enquiry Commission kicked off its proceedings on Monday by summoning former Punjab health secretary Jahanzeb Khan and former PIC chief executive Dr Muhammad Azhar on February 14 to probe into the PIC deaths. Both the officials are said to have a hand in delivery of the defective medicines.
The commission comprises LHC judge Justice Ijazul Ahsan and District and Sessions Judge Irfan Saeed is working as registrar.
The commission will complete its enquiry within 30 days and submit a report to the Punjab government. It will determine elements responsible for the negligence and also suggest measures to stop such incidents in future.
LHC SEEKS GOVT’S REPORT ON ‘CHANGE’ IN MEDICINE PROCURING POLICY: The LHC on Monday sought a report till February 22 from the Punjab government about steps taken to change “policy of procuring medicines” for hospitals in the wake of deaths in Punjab Institute of Cardiology by spurious medicines
The court also directed the investigation team, probing the deaths and the spurious drugs, to submit a detailed report on those responsible for purchasing and selling spurious medicines to PIC. Justice Umar Ata Bandial passed the order on a petition filed by Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest litigation firm, through Muhammad Azhar Siddique.