Private medical colleges won't be allowed to rob students: CJP

The Chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday said private medical colleges would not be allowed to rob students in the name of education and admission. Hearing a suo motu matter about higher fees of the private medical colleges a bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar pointed out that tuition fees should not be too high.
Supreme Court (SC) on Friday ordered audit of all medical colleges by any independent chartered firm in a bid to acquire their fee structure and expenditure and held that services charges to the charted accountant firm would be paid by the colleges. CJ had remarked that the SC did not want to shut down private medical colleges as they do share the burden of public sector, but made it clear that "these institutions should not turn into business organizations either".
However, CJP made it clear that sanctioned private medical colleges would not be closed down but they have to fulfil all the legal requirements. The court observed that admission already done by the private medical colleges would not be annulled; however, the extra fee taken from the students would be adjusted or returned accordingly.
The medical education has unfortunately become a business rather than being a life-saving profession, he remarked. Earlier, the chief justice also referred to his 'Baba Rahmatay' [wise old man] remarks, stating that he will explain today the meaning of the term and why he used it.
Chief Justice Nisar remarked that 'Baba Rahmatay' is a person who resolves people's problems, explaining that he borrowed the term from famous writer Ashfaq Ahmad's work. He said, "A baba is he who facilitates people." The chief justice added that he cared less about the criticism regarding his use of the term, saying he will continue to work for public welfare regardless of public opinion.
In December, he had referred to the judiciary using the term Baba. He stated, "The judiciary is your baba, do not doubt its integrity." "Judiciary is akin to an elder, wise person whose advice everyone seeks."