SC seeks action against organ trafficking
18 July, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the chief secretaries of all provinces to take adequate measures against the illegal trade of human organs in the country and submit a report in that regard by July 31. The court also observed that illegal trade of human organs was a social evil and expressed hope that provincial governments would devise rules in that regard very soon in view of Article 37 and 38 of the constitution. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard a petition regarding illegal transplant of human organs, filed by Asma Jahangir and others. According to the petitioners, intervention by the Supreme Court was necessary as the federal and provincial governments and the Human Organ Transplant Authority had failed to check the illegal trade of human organs and illegal kidney transplantation. The petitioners said no action was being taken against those caught in such illegal activities. During the hearing, Tariq Mahmood, counsel for Asma Jahangir, told the bench that despite the clear assurances, provincial governments had failed to devise rules to prevent violation of the law. Health Department Director General Qazi Saboor told the bench that the federal government had prepared rules to check the heinous crimes relating to illegal transplant of human organs. Upon this, the chief justice expressed concern over the non-formation of rules, saying the government for its own interest had passed a bill in parliament within 24 hours but it was not giving attention to matters of public interest. He observed that laws had been made but there was no implementation of those laws. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that rules were being formed for the benefit of rich and powerful people. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja asked why the government was silent regarding the illegal activities of organ trade and transplant. End.
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