SHC reserves order on plea for independent probe into HIV outbreak
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday reserved its order on a petition seeking an independent inquiry into the HIV outbreak at the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run hospitals amid an uproar and protests by a petitioner and family members of affected children during the court proceedings. The petitioner insisted that the court could not dispose of the petition and…
The Sindh High Court (SHC) postponed its ruling on a petition demanding an independent investigation into an HIV outbreak at hospitals managed by the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI). The case, brought forth by petitioner Tariq Mansoor in May, alleges that over 120 children have been diagnosed with HIV, with nine patients/children succumbing to the disease during the legal proceedings.
During Tuesday's hearing, the petitioner argued that affected families had disrupted the court with their protests and slogans. The court's two-judge bench, presided over by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, decided to reserve the order for a later announcement, likely on Wednesday. SESSI's counsel presented that 37 hospital officials, including Dr. Shazia Altaf, had been suspended, and funds were allocated for the affected children's treatment and rehabilitation.
However, the petitioner expressed his dissatisfaction, pointing out that the respondents had not submitted complete replies or comments, while affected families had been seen in the courtroom shouting and chanting slogans. The court warned the petitioner against engaging in politics within the courtroom and advised him to follow proper judicial decorum.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
