ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has directed theLahore High Court registrar to fix hearing for a petition against formerarmy chief General (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in an alleged medical scam.

The petition has been filed by an ex-military official, Lt Col (retd)Inamul Rahiem, accusing Kiyani of dissolving a legally established ArmedForces Medical Store Depot, as well as manufacturing, supplying andprocuring substandard and spurious medicines, a leading English dailyreported.

The petitioner moved the apex court seeking a complete audit of themedicines tendered, purchased and procured by the “improperly establisheddepots” at 27 combined medical hospitals (CMHs).

However, the petition was rejected by the SC registrar over someobjections. The retired lieutenant colonel, later, challenged theregistrar’s decision.

The top judge while hearing the appeal against objections ordered the highcourt to take up the matter. “I am sanguine that learned court (LHC) shalldecide the matter expeditiously,” he added.

The court also observed that the case does not fall under the purview ofArticle 184(3).

Ministry of Defence, Gen (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Lt-General (retd)Athar have been made respondents in the case.

“During his [Athar’s] stay as corps commander Karachi, he came acrosscertain medicine manufacturers and knew their business technique and afterhis retirement from [the] armed forces he decided to set up a business ofmedicines,” the English daily cited the petitioner.

It further added that Athar sought services from former Lt Col Naveed.

In 2009, a drug inspector sent the sample of tablet Tinize manufactured byMedizan Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd which was supplied to the DHQ HospitalRawalpindi and in the market.

The Drug Testing Laboratory Punjab in February 2009 confirmed that the saiddrug was substandard and also revealed that Medizan had also issuedwarranty to Foray Pharma in 2008.