The Sindh High Court has directed authorities to submit a detailed report within two weeks regarding the controversial Rs2.133 billion procurement of robotic surgery systems for major public hospitals in Sindh.
The order was issued by a division bench comprising Justices Adnanul Karim Memon and Zulfiqar Ali Sangi during the hearing of public interest petitions challenging the purchase of robotic surgical equipment for Liaquat University Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to allegations raised in the petitions, which claim large-scale financial irregularities and possible embezzlement involving government officials and private contractors connected to the procurement process.
The petitions were filed by Khawar Mehmood Afridi through advocates Asim Iqbal and Farmanullah. The petitioners have argued that the procurement process may have involved misuse of public funds and lack of transparency in awarding contracts for advanced medical technology.
The court’s directive aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds allocated for healthcare infrastructure. Robotic surgery systems are considered high-cost medical equipment designed to enhance surgical precision, reduce recovery time, and improve patient outcomes in complex procedures.
Public interest litigation of this nature often leads to judicial scrutiny of government procurement practices, especially when large-scale expenditures are involved. The court’s intervention highlights the importance of oversight in ensuring that public health investments are made responsibly and in accordance with procurement laws.
Healthcare infrastructure in Sindh has been a frequent subject of legal and administrative review, particularly concerning funding allocation, equipment purchases, and service delivery standards in major hospitals.
The ongoing proceedings are expected to continue as the court reviews the submitted report and evaluates whether proper procedures were followed in the procurement of the robotic surgery systems.
Officials from relevant departments are likely to present documentation and justification for the purchase as part of the court-ordered inquiry.
The outcome of the case may have broader implications for future medical equipment procurement policies in public hospitals across Pakistan.
