“Why No FIR Yet?” Senate Panel Grills SP Zeeshan Over PIMS Tragedy

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has intensified scrutiny of the PIMS nursery fire, directing Islamabad Police to immediately register an FIR as lawmakers questioned health authorities over accountability, emergency preparedness and the handling of the inquiry into the incident.

The committee meeting was chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, with officials from the Ministry of National Health Services, PIMS and Islamabad Police appearing before the panel.

The August 26 fire at the nursery of the Mother and Child Hospital at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns. An inquiry committee subsequently concluded that the episode reflected “systemic and institutional failure” and identified electrical failure as the most likely cause of the fire.

During the proceedings described to Islamabad Tribune, Additional Secretary Health was repeatedly questioned about what action was planned against officials found responsible. When asked about decisions taken at a meeting chaired by the prime minister, the official said he did not yet have complete information about the discussion.

Chairperson Zehri sought details of officials named in inquiry material and raised questions about the omission of the PIMS executive director from a list under discussion. She said she was not satisfied with the report and suggested that members of the inquiry committee should themselves be called to explain the basis of their findings.

Lawmakers Raise Questions Over Fire Safety and Accountability

The committee also questioned the newly appointed PIMS executive director over steps taken since assuming charge, focusing particularly on reports that doors and emergency exits were locked at the time of the incident and asking why firefighters reportedly had difficulty accessing the affected area.

Concerns over emergency exits are not new. During an earlier visit, the Senate Health Committee had also raised concerns about the reported closure of emergency exits, absence of fire alarms and deficiencies in emergency preparedness at PIMS.

Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri questioned why accountability appeared to have focused on some officials while those responsible for hospital management and relevant contracts had not faced equivalent scrutiny. Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan also sought the hospital’s daily diary record covering the period surrounding the incident.

The proceedings reached a critical point when the committee directed SP Islamabad Police Zeeshan to leave the meeting and ensure immediate registration of an FIR. On returning, the police officer told the committee that the FIR was expected within approximately 10 minutes, according to the proceedings shared with Islamabad Tribune.

The direction follows repeated parliamentary concern over the absence of a criminal case. On September 9, the same Senate Human Rights Committee had already ordered immediate registration of an FIR and initiation of criminal proceedings. The Senate’s official account said the committee was informed at that meeting that no FIR had been registered at the time. A separate Senate health panel again raised the issue this week.

Committee Also Discusses Attempted Removal of Newborn

The committee also discussed an attempted removal of a newborn from PIMS. When the chairperson asked hospital officials whether an attempt to take a baby from the hospital had occurred, PIMS representatives confirmed the incident, according to the proceedings provided to Islamabad Tribune. Members expressed concern about security arrangements at the federal hospital.

The inquiry and subsequent parliamentary hearings have put PIMS’ fire-safety systems, hospital administration and accountability mechanisms under sustained scrutiny. The inquiry report’s findings concern institutional and individual responsibility, but criminal liability remains a matter for investigation and the competent legal authorities.