LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Tuesday adjourning the hearing of a petition against measles outbreak till July 10, ordered Dr Zafar Iqbal, Principal Sheikh Zayed Hospital and head of a three-member committee to probe measles related deaths, to submit report.
The court also sought a report on a TV programme wherein reasons of deaths caused by measles were mentioned.
Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest litigation firm, against measles outbreak.
As proceedings started, Dr Zafar Iqbal appeared before the court and sought ten days time to submit report of the committee.
An additional advocate general also sought time to submit report by all DCOs of the province.
Petitioner's counsel Azhar Siddique through a civil miscellaneous application informed details of a TV programme wherein reasons for deaths by measles were mentioned. The biggest reason for deaths was break-up of cold chain as the vaccine was not stored at required temperature, he added.
He further informed the court that the health department intended to take action against those employees who provide information to petitioner-firm about weaknesses of department.
However, the court observed that it would provide protection to employees who perform in public interest.
Azhar said that the department had not replied to the matter raised through the petition.
To which, additional advocate general said that the report had been submitted.
But, petitioner's counsel said that no reply had been filed to the allegations. He further said that the court had issued notice to the attorney general for assistance on February 19 but no body appeared yet.
He said that report should also be sought from Pakistan Regulatory Authority which was working under secretary cabinet division.
The court issuing notice on civil miscellaneous application by the petitioner directed additional advocate general to handover the programme CD to Dr Zafar who after viewing it should write report as many important facts were mentioned in it.
The court also issued notice to secretary cabinet division and Chairman Pakistan Drug Regulatory Authority and sought reply besides seeking assistance from attorney general on next date of hearing.
The petitioner, Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest litigation firm, through his petition submitted that the government had failed to control measles and alleged that corrupt health officials were responsible for children's deaths. The petitioner demanded action against the responsible.
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