ISLAMABAD – My wish is to finish all cases I started before leaving office:CJP

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar remarked on Friday that hiswish is to finish the cases that I have started before leaving, adding thatotherwise it will be said that ‘he made tall claims but took no action’.

He made the comments while heading a two-member bench hearing a caserelated to the high prices of medicines.

The chief justice made the remarks after the counsel for Pharma Bureau — arepresentative body of multinational pharmaceuticals in Pakistan — askedfor a date to be fixed for the next hearing. Chief Justice Nisar added thathe is in more of a hurry to wrap up the case.

During the hearing, the chief justice also observed that it is theParliament’s prerogative to levy or end taxes.

He made the observation after one of the petitioners in the case, citizenJaved Okhai, asked that the court order an end to taxes imposed onpharmaceutical companies.

The court, during the hearing, summoned a detailed report from the federalhealth ministry, observing that it will hear the complete case on May 15even if they have to sit all day and night. The chief justice clarifiedthat no adjournment will be given in the case anymore.

During the hearing, the health secretary submitted an interim report incourt, stating that different categories were made to cllasify medicines.