Islamabad Police Complete Inquiry Into PIMS Fire That Claimed 14 Newborn Lives
Police sources say the inquiry report contains written statements of officials, location details and video evidence; a decision on further criminal proceedings is expected after review by the Interior Ministry.
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have completed their inquiry into the PIMS nursery fire that claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies and submitted the report to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
The report is expected to be forwarded to the Ministry of Interior for further review, after which authorities will decide whether a formal criminal case should be registered, the sources said.
The police proceedings were conducted under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which provides for police inquiries into certain categories of deaths. Earlier on Thursday, multiple reports confirmed that Islamabad Police had initiated proceedings under Section 174 following the PIMS incident.
CCTV Footage, Statements Included in Inquiry
According to sources, investigators collected written statements from officials named in connection with the incident and incorporated their reported locations at the relevant time into the inquiry record. CCTV footage obtained from PIMS as well as footage available through Islamabad’s Safe City system was also examined and made part of the report.
Sources said police obtained written statements from former PIMS Executive Director Prof Dr Imran Sikandar and Prof Dr Sadia Riaz. Statements of other officials, including Dr Nagham, Dr Mutahir, Chaudhry Waris Ali Raza, Dr Nosheela Amjad, Muhammad Usman and Dr Abdul Rehman, were also recorded as part of the proceedings.
The names largely correspond to officials against whom administrative action was ordered after the Prime Minister-appointed inquiry committee submitted its interim findings. The government had earlier ordered the suspension of eight officials and directed that criminal proceedings be initiated against persons ultimately found responsible.
Police also recorded the statement of Razia, the staff nurse credited with rescuing the sole surviving baby from the nursery. CCTV evidence previously reviewed in the government inquiry showed rescue efforts during the incident, while Razia’s actions have received official recognition.
14 Newborns Died in August 26 Fire
The August 26 fire at the Mother and Child Health Centre of PIMS resulted in the deaths of 14 newborn babies, triggering several investigations into fire safety, emergency preparedness and administrative responsibility at the federal hospital.
The Prime Minister-appointed committee’s interim findings had identified serious administrative and operational shortcomings, although it said further technical investigation was required to conclusively establish the precise ignition source.
According to police sources, the completed police report will now move through the relevant official channels. Any decision regarding registration of a formal case will be taken after the Interior Ministry’s review and final approval, they added.
