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Govt to wait for verdict against PMDC restoration

By Ikram Junaidi 2020-03-04
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday decided to wait for the decision on an intracourt appeal filed against Islamabad High Court (IHC)`s verdict of abolishing Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) and restoring Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

The next hearing of the appeal is scheduled on March 12 and it isexpected that the court would give a clear direction regarding its decision.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza told Dawn that the cabinet had decided to wait for the decision of the intra-court appeal.

`PMC would be restored if the decision comes in favour of the government. If the decision comes against the government, we would consider if we should implement the decision or go tothe Supreme Court against it,` he said.

On October 19, 2019, President Dr Arif Alvi promulgated an ordinance which left the PMDC dissolved and paved the way for establishment of the PMC. On October 20, the ministry of health sealed the building of the council and terminated the services of its 220 employees.

However, on February 11, the IHC declared the PMC null and void and directed to restore thePMDC. It also nominated retired Justice Shakirullah Jan as its president.

The government has filed the intra-court appeal against the decision. However, former employees of PMDC have been suffering as they are not getting salaries. Thoughit was mentioned in the ordinance that the basic salary of six months would be given to them, a large number of employees could not get the amount as it was adjusted againsttheir loans.

Rafiullah, a peon, told Dawn that his 10-year-old son died as he could not af ford his treatment.

`My son had typhoid but I did not have the resources for his treatment. The typhoid became complicated due to which my son died,` he said.

`I have served in the PMDC for nine years. Now I have lost my only son and don`t know what will be the future of my six daughters,` he said.