KARACHI: The Supreme Court?s Karachi Registry will hear the case of transfer of Shahrukh Jatoi, the prime accused in the murder of Shahzeb Khan, from prison to a hospital.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had taken notice of Jatoi's transfer to Jinnah Hospital earlier this week. The accused was shifted to the hospital from jail premises last Friday after he complained of back pain.

He was shifted on the recommendation of the jail?s medical officer, who cited unavailability of resources to tackle the ailment within jail premises.

Jatoi had previously also served most of his incarceration at the JPMC citing medical issues.

Taking notice of the matter, the Chief Justice had also demanded a report on the matter from Inspector General of Police Sindh and IG prisons within 24 hours.

Shahzeb murder case: CJP takes notice of Shahrukh Jatoi?s transfer to hospital

CJP demanded a report from Inspector General of Police Sindh and IG prisons with 24 hours on the matter

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had ordered the re-arrest of Jatoi, Siraj Talpur and other convicts in the Shahzeb Khan murder case, following which Jatoi and the others were taken into custody from the court premises.

The apex court had been moved by members of the civil society against the Sindh High Court's (SHC) decision ordering a re-trial and removal of terrorism charges from the conviction against the accused.

The apex court, instead of accepting the civil society appeal, had taken a sou motu action and nullified the SHC order.

On December 23, 2017, Jatoi, the son of an influential feudal, and other defendants in the Shahzeb Khan murder case, were released from custody on bail after Shahzeb?s father submitted an affidavit in support of the defendant's bail application.

Shahzeb was gunned down by Jatoi in a posh locality of Karachi on December 25, 2012.

An ATC in 2013 had awarded death sentences to Jatoi and Siraj Talpur for the murder of Shahzeb, while life sentences were awarded to Sajjad Ali Talpur and Ghulam Murtaza Lashari.

Clean water, state of public hospitals

The Supreme Court?s Karachi Registry will also hear the provision of clean water case today. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar has summoned Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar and Advocate General Sindh in the case.

During a previous hearing of the case in December, the Chief Justice had observed that the water situation in Sindh was troublesome and it was the responsibility of the government to provide clean water to residents.

The apex court had also ordered formation of a commission to conduct an in-depth probe into the authorities' failure to provide clean drinking water, sanitation facilities and a healthy environment to the people of Sindh.

The commission, in its report, noted that people all over the province were not being provided safe drinking water in accordance with the World Health Organisation's standards.

The Supreme Court will also conduct hearing of cases pertaining to the state of public hospitals in Karachi and admission policies of private medical colleges.