Pak Supreme Court issues contempt notice to Punjab Health Minister

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday dissolved the newly-formed Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) and issued contempt notice to Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid for forming the board without its approval.

The apex court also issued contempt notices to the provincial chief secretary, the secretary and additional secretary health, the Dawn reported.

The court said it had asked that it be provided all names suggested for the board, but that was not done.

"The board was notified without the Supreme Court's approval. The respondents are directed to respond to the contempt notices within two days," the apex court was quoted as saying by the Dawn.

The Supreme Court in November dissolved the then Board of Commissioners of the PHC and ordered to form a new board within two weeks.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had summoned Dr Rashid and PHC board members and asked them to explain the reason for the resignation of Amir Raza A Khan from the chairperson's post.

He had also observed that the political government would not be allowed to capture the independence of regulatory authorities.