Islamabad High Court seeks PIMS inquiry report over deaths of 14 babies
Court seeks inquiry and action reports
The Islamabad High Court has asked the federal government to submit the inquiry report presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with details of the action taken so far.
The request was made during a hearing on a petition seeking a judicial investigation into the incident.
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar described the incident as extremely horrific and noted that 14 newborn children had lost their lives.
The court’s latest step has brought renewed attention to the PIMS tragedy and the way authorities have investigated the incident.
Lawyer questions government inquiry
The petitioner’s lawyer, Qasim Iqbal Jalali, raised questions about the committees formed by the government.
He told the court that the committees mainly consisted of bureaucrats and questioned whether officials could independently investigate matters involving their own departments.
The lawyer also claimed that the existing inquiry did not clearly establish who was responsible.
During the hearing, questions were raised about whether the investigation should instead be conducted through a judicial process.
The PIMS fire inquiry will now come under closer court scrutiny as the judges examine the government’s response.
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Court questions legal authority
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar asked under which law the court could order a judicial inquiry.
He also questioned where the relevant Inquiry Act allows the court to direct such an investigation.
The lawyer referred to a commission formed after the Punjab Institute of Cardiology incident.
The chief justice clarified that the earlier commission had been established by the government rather than the court.
The discussion highlighted an important legal question over how such an inquiry can be ordered and who should conduct it.
Government explains action taken
Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez told the court that the health secretary had been suspended on the day of the incident.
He said more PIMS officials were suspended after the interim inquiry report was prepared.
The government has already taken disciplinary steps following the deaths at PIMS hospital, while further action could depend on the findings of ongoing investigations.
The lawyer, however, continued to question whether the existing process was sufficiently independent.
Focus remains on accountability
The court has now sought the reports to understand what happened after the tragedy and what action has been taken against those responsible.
The 14 newborn deaths have placed significant pressure on authorities to provide clear answers.
The court also questioned whether government action should prevent it from passing further orders.
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Justice Sarfraz Dogar said the court wanted to establish exactly what had happened and what steps had been taken so far.
The proceedings could therefore lead to further scrutiny of the PIMS fire inquiry and the accountability process.
What happens next?
The federal government will now have to submit the requested documents and a detailed response before the court.
The Islamabad High Court is expected to examine the reports before deciding what further steps may be required.
The PIMS tragedy could remain under judicial attention as questions about responsibility and safety measures continue.
