Pakistan a haven for organs trade: Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has hauled up the government for inordinate delay in bringing about effective legislation to halt organs trade, categorising Pakistan a haven for the illegal trade.

Hearing a suo motu appeal in this regard, Chaudhry, who was involved in a stand-off with the government over a judicial reference filed against the top judge, remarked that Pakistan has become haven for organs trade and expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the authorities to bring about effective legislation to stop the illegal trade.

The apex court summoned top officials including Secretary Cabinet Division and Secretary Health to explain the delay in framing an effective law to check the menace.

Deputy Attorney General Rana Muhammad Irshad, who appeared on behalf of the government, said the private sector with a strong lobby was impeding the whole process of legislation.

The chief justice cited a documentary made by Geo television on a village Shujaabad wherein it was shown that a large number of people were living with just one kidney.

The three-judge bench was hearing suo motu appeal on an application filed by Muhammad Asghar, resident of Shujaabad. The other members of the bench were Justice Rana Bhagwandas and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, The News daily said.