ISLAMABAD: A mob attack led by a group of lawyers on a Pakistan hospital earlier this week “should never have happened,” and was an opportunity for self-reflection, Pakistan’s chief justice, Asif Saeed Khosa, said in Islamabad on Saturday, while addressing a conference.
On Wednesday, in a riot that sent shockwaves around the country, members of Pakistan’s legal fraternity staged a violent protest at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), in the heart of the eastern city of Lahore, seemingly in an attempt to avenge a group of lawyers that were caught on video being beaten up at the hospital earlier.
As lawyers barged into the premises and broke windows and equipment, doctors and nurses were forced to abandon their stations in fear of their lives. Three cardiac patients left unattended died in the ensuing panic and chaos.
“What happened in Lahore, should never have happened,” Justice Khosa said, and added that he believed divinity, law and medicine were “the noblest of professions.” He called on doctors and lawyers to ensure the nobility of their professions remained intact.
Police registered cases on a range of charges including terrorism and murder, and booked more than 250 lawyers, local media reported.
“Our hearts and minds go out to the victims and their families. We hope and pray all concerned would like to uphold the values attached to the legal profession as well as the medical profession,” he said.
Pakistan’s top judge refrained from saying more on the matter, because the case was sub-judice before the Lahore High Court.
Chief Justice of Pakistan condemns lawyer-led hospital violence
https://arab.news/5zax2
Chief Justice of Pakistan condemns lawyer-led hospital violence
- On Wednesday, members of legal fraternity stormed cardiac hospital to protest mistreatment of a group of lawyers at the facility
- Justice Khosa called on legal and medical professionals to keep the nobility of their professions intact
IMF mission begins talks in Islamabad as Pakistan seeks next program review
- Finance ministry confirms ‘kick-off meeting’ with visiting IMF delegation
- Review critical for next tranche under $7 billion bailout program
Karachi: Pakistan began formal talks with a visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation on Monday as the country prepares for the next review of its $7 billion bailout program.
The IMF team is in Pakistan to conduct a review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) approved in September 2024, a multi-year program aimed at stabilizing the economy after a balance-of-payments crisis, high inflation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves.
Pakistan has so far received roughly $3 billion of the EFF. Successful completion of the latest review could pave the way for the release of the next tranche of funds, subject to IMF board approval.
Separately in 2024, Pakistan also secured about $1.3 billion under the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility, a climate-focused funding window aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to manage environmental and disaster-related risks.
“Kick-off meeting with IMF Mission held today,” the finance ministry said on Monday as it shared visuals of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and senior officials meeting the delegation in Islamabad.
IMF country representative in Pakistan, Mahir Binici, told Arab News in an emailed statement;
“An IMF mission led by Ms. Iva Petrova has started discussions with the authorities in Karachi and Islamabad on the third review of Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement and the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).”
The discussions are expected to focus on Pakistan’s fiscal performance, revenue collection targets, structural reform implementation and broader macroeconomic stability measures agreed under the program.
The review comes at a sensitive time for Pakistan’s economy, with rising global oil prices and regional instability adding pressure to inflation and external accounts. Analysts say continued IMF engagement remains crucial for maintaining investor confidence and securing external financing.
Pakistan entered the IMF program to restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public finances and rebuild foreign exchange reserves. Authorities have repeatedly described the reform agenda as necessary to ensure long-term economic resilience.
Further meetings between technical teams are expected over the coming days.
