Did Supreme Court Order The Dismissal Of SAPM Health, Zafar Mirza? Here’s What Really Happened.

On Monday, it was reported that the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza to combat coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan.

Supreme Court asked the federal government to remove Zafar Mirza from his current post in its hearing.

Headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, the order was given by a five member bench of the Supreme Court during the hearing of a suo moto case to oversee efforts taken by the authorities to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

As per reports, Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan, urged the CJP to “not change him (Zafar Mirza) mid-flight” as it might be disastrous under the given circumstances.

Many Pakistanis are also siding with the Attorney General’s remarks and think a change in leadership at this point could lead to a catastrophe.

While some found it unfair to completely write-off Zafar Mirza’s efforts in the on-going fight against the coronavirus outbreak…

We can disagree with govt’s policies, esp during the pandemic, but to say that Dr Zafar Mirza is not doing anything is unfair. Our doctors are on the frontline, but our journalists, police officers and govt officials are also working around the clock to keep us informed and safe.

— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) April 13, 2020

…Others were unclear about the capacity under which the Supreme Court had sought his dismissal.

As a lawyer I fail to understand how the Surpeme Court can seek removal of Dr Zafar Mirza from his position in this manner. Will the Court now be the judge of who is competent or not & seek dismissal if a Minister or Govt. is not meeting the Court’s expectations? What next?

— Taimur Malik (@taimur_malik) April 13, 2020

Read: Imran Khan Asked The World For Debt Relief Amid COVID-19 But Some Journalists Were Only Interested In His Tracksuit

It is important to point out here that no written order was issued by SC demanding Mirza’s removal as SAPM.

Just In: SC in its Orders of the day SKIPS mention about Zafar Mirza to be removed. #Pakistan https://t.co/Lx8FGKVpX9

— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) April 13, 2020

Written order r out.. plz share the sentence where is it written for the removal of Dr. Zafar mirza?? https://t.co/Tv8Vm638GK

— Bilal (@bilalayaz) April 13, 2020

So in its written order #SupremeCourt didn't ask/order/mention the removal of #ZafarMirza as SAPM. The court approved the request of attorney general and left the matter up to the federal government.

— Ahmed Saeed (@ehmadliveson) April 13, 2020

It appears that while the matter was discussed during the hearing, no official orders were issued by the Supreme Court. The ball, it seems, remains very much in the court of the Federal Government.