SHC seeks report on Liaquat University Hospital’s Rs2.13bn robot procurement

HYDERABAD: The Sindh High Court has directed that a detailed report be submitted within two weeks on the disputed procurement of robotic surgery systems worth Rs2.133 billion for Liaquat University Hospital (LUH).

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi at the court’s principal seat on May 11 while hearing two public-interest petitions challenging the purchase of robotic systems for LUH and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

The petitions were filed by Khawar Mehmood Afridi through advocates Asim Iqbal and Farmanullah. In the LUH matter, the petition names the health secretary, M/s Ontech Corporation, LUH Hyderabad/Jamshoro, Markham Finisher FZE and the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority as respondents.

According to the petition, the procurement is linked to what the petitioner described as a large-scale embezzlement scheme involving government officials and private contractors. The court has issued notices to all respondents and directed them to appear at the next hearing and assist the court. The matter will be taken up again after two weeks.

Objections raised over procurement process

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel referred to a letter dated May 15, 2025, stating that although Rs2.133 billion had been approved for robotic systems, no such equipment had been purchased.

The LUH medical superintendent reportedly informed the Sindh health secretary that the hospital was facing shortages of basic life-saving equipment, increasing patient inflow and high bed occupancy. The communication said that because of financial limitations and the absence of trained technical personnel to operate and maintain advanced robotic systems, the allocated funds should instead be diverted to improving essential medical facilities in different departments.

The court was also told that there were serious irregularities in the bidding process. The petitioner claimed that the actual price of a robotic system was about $37,500, but alleged that the procurement amount had been raised many times over to misappropriate public money.

Further allegations presented before the court included a demand for third-party payments to a Dubai-based firm instead of Karachi, which the petitioner said pointed to official collusion in a money-laundering scheme.

Earlier developments cited in petition

The petitioner also told the court that former caretaker health minister Dr Saad Khalid Niaz had earlier stopped a Rs4.427 billion deal for four robotic systems, a decision that, according to the petition, had upset those expected to benefit from the contract.

The LUH medical superintendent also confirmed that the hospital had received directions from the National Accountability Bureau on Feb 9, 2024, seeking details of the robotic surgery project.

According to the petition, although the health department had halted the process in late 2023, no formal re-appropriation of the funds for the purchase of essential equipment had been carried out.

The petitioner has asked the court to declare the entire tendering process void and to restrain the government from making any further payments in connection with the procurement.