PIMS Head Nurse Accused of Demanding Rs500,000 to Hand Over Newborn
ISLAMABAD: A newborn custody dispute involving the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has reached the Islamabad District and Sessions Court, where the family of a newborn has sought judicial intervention, alleging that the infant has not been handed over to the mother despite completion of all legal formalities.
The petition was filed by the newborn’s grandmother, Nasreen Bibi, and was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich.
According to the petition, Mehnaaz Bibi gave birth to the child at PIMS Hospital, but hospital authorities allegedly refused to hand over the newborn to the mother after delivery. The petitioner claims that all required legal procedures had been completed, yet the infant continued to be withheld by the hospital’s gynecology department.
The family has further alleged in the petition that the hospital’s head nurse demanded Rs500,000 in exchange for handing over the newborn. The petition also claims that the family was allegedly threatened that if the amount was not paid, the baby could be handed over to unknown persons.
The petitioners requested the court to immediately direct the hospital administration to release the newborn to the mother and ensure the child’s safe custody.
During earlier proceedings, the court directed Islamabad Police to visit PIMS Hospital, examine the matter, and submit a report. Acting on the court’s orders, the police conducted the required inquiry and submitted their report before the court.
After reviewing the police report, Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich directed counsel for both parties to present their arguments on the matter. The court subsequently adjourned further proceedings until July 3.
No detailed observations on the merits of the allegations were made during the hearing, and the court is expected to examine the matter further after hearing arguments from both sides.
As of the filing of this report, PIMS Hospital has not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition. The allegations remain unproven and will be determined through the ongoing judicial process.
The case has drawn attention because it concerns the custody of a newborn and raises questions regarding hospital procedures, patient rights, and the legal safeguards governing the release of infants from public healthcare institutions. The Islamabad District and Sessions Court is expected to continue hearing the matter on July 3 after considering submissions from both parties.
