Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Wednesday said the courts would not be shut come what may, as he criticised the government over its failure to tackle the situation arising out of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The government has taken no step to combat the spread of the virus in the country. We have been requested to halt judicial proceedings but the courts will not be shut down at any cost,” he remarked.

The remarks came as the apex court was hearing a case regarding the appointment of Air Marshal Arshad Malik as PIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

During the proceedings, Chief Justice Gulzar said the country was suffering from coronavirus due to the negligence of the incumbent government. “There is no government in the country,” he observed.

The top judge asserted that the situation at the quarantine centres in Pakistan was terrible as no facilities were being provided to the people housed there.