KARACHI: The 5th Health Care Summit 2025 and Health Care Awards Ceremony, organized by the Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP), was held at a local hotel with Acting Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, as the chief guest. The event, hosted by CAP Chairman Kaukab Iqbal, brought together prominent political, business, medical, and diplomatic figures.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Rajput stressed that while the government continues to meet political demands, it must also give due attention to crucial sectors like health. He warned that the health sector must not fall prey to commercialization or corruption, adding that malpractice in medicine, prevalent for years, is a matter of grave concern.
The Acting Chief Justice called for a complete ban on publicity for prescribing medicines, saying, “Doctors prescribing more medicines of certain companies are rewarded with trips abroad and expensive gifts. This is bribery and must stop.” He urged the government to control excessive drug registrations, pointing out that Pakistan has far more registered medicines than those listed by the World Health Organization (WHO). He emphasized that eliminating bribery and corruption in healthcare was essential, alongside greater focus on justice, health, and education.
Justice Rajput further highlighted that Article 9 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life, while Article 38 makes it the state’s responsibility to provide healthcare to citizens. “The progress of nations is linked to good health, and developed societies always place special focus on women’s development,” he noted.
The event featured speeches from CAP Chairman Kaukab Iqbal, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Khalid Tawab, Irfan Soomro, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Dr. Sheikh Shakeel, Advocate Javed Chhatari, and others, who raised concerns over quackery, rising medicine prices, poor hospital services, lack of clean water, and the misuse of CSR funds. Several resolutions were passed, and shields were distributed among distinguished guests.
The ceremony was attended by a wide range of dignitaries, including diplomats, doctors, businessmen, lawyers, and journalists. A ceremonial cake was also cut to mark the occasion, and the Consul General of Indonesia was among the notable attendees.
