| Citation(s) |
|---|
| 2025 SLG 5293 2025 SLD 5293 = 2025 LHC 142 |
W.P. No.1778 of 2024
PRESENT; (JAWAD HASSAN) JUDGE
Date of Hearing: 14.01.2025 Petitioner by: M/s. Muhammad Ilyas Shaikh, ASC, Tanveer Iqbal Khan, ASC, Ch. Rizwan Elahi, Mehmood Azam Balouch, Ch. M. Waqas, Ali Tanveer, Ch. Ehtram Habib, Malik Muhammad Asif Nawaz, Shaikh Saddam Tariq, Najma Malik, Muhammad Danyal Sheikh, Ahmad Ejaz Yousaf, Rana Waleed Ali, Malik Shoukat Mehmood, Fazal-ur-Rehman, Liaqat Ali Khan and Najam Hanif Sheikh, Fazli Qadir Khan and Hassan Muneeb Zia, Advocates.
Respondents by: Mr. Abid Aziz Rajori, Assistant Advocate-General with Jauhar Aqeel, Law Officer, CEO, DHA, Rawalpindi. Mr. Arshad Mahmood Malik, Assistant Attorney General.
Adnan Mughal
VERSUS
Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, Government of the Punjab, etc.
Law: Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act, 2023
Section: 11
Law: Constitution of Pakistan, 1973
Section: 199
SUMMARY;
This judgment concerns a writ petition filed by an advocate seeking directions for free and adequate medical treatment for advocates enrolled in the Punjab Bar Council or practicing in Punjab, including advocates on government panels, with benefits parity to officers of BPS 17 and 18. The petitioner faced mistreatment at a public hospital and claimed violation of fundamental rights. The petition was opposed on the basis that the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department of Punjab had already issued a notification dated 21.05.2018, providing free medical treatment to practicing lawyers and their dependents upon presentation of a Punjab Bar Council membership card at government hospitals under its administrative control.
The Court acknowledged the critical role of advocates in upholding the rule of law and justice and recognized their right to medical welfare under the Constitution and the new Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act, 2023. This Act mandates medical treatment for advocates and their families on par with gazetted government officers across all government and semi-government hospitals.