SC issues contempt notice to Yasmeen Rashid

Lahore: The Supreme Court Tuesday issued contempt notices to Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid, provincial chief secretary, secretary health and others over appointing members of Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) without prior approval of the apex court. The SC also dissolved the new board of commissioners of PHC and ordered the provincial health ministers and others to submit their replies before the court within two days – by December 27. The SC, on November 17, had dissolved the board of Punjab Healthcare and ordered constitution of the new board comprising ‘competent people’ with immediate effect. The top court bench, during the hearing at SC’s Lahore Registry, had summoned Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and members of the board to inquire about the reasons for resignation of Amir Raza Khan, who was the head of PHC board. The chief justice had directed the minister to appoint competent people in the board within two weeks and furnish a report in this regard. However, the top court was informed that a notification had been issued for the formation of a new board without its approval. The court ordered the dissolution of the board and said summoned a reply from Dr Rashid.