Senate panel orders FIR over Pims nursery fire

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday directed authorities to register an FIR over the fire at the nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), in which 14 newborn babies died and initiate criminal proceedings against those responsible. The committee, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, expressed serious concern over the failure to register a case despite the prime minister’s directions for action against officials allegedly responsible for the tragedy. During the meeting at Parliament Lodges, Pims officials informed the committee that no FIR had so far been registered. Dr Iqbal Durrani confirmed the position when questioned by the chairperson. Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan pointed out that the prime minister had ordered the termination of services of eight employees and registration of criminal cases against those responsible, asking why no action had been taken. Committee seeks criminal proceedings against those responsible for deaths of 14 newborns Senator Zehri directed the immediate registration of an FIR concerning negligence and loss of life. She also called for criminal proceedings against responsible officials, attachment of their assets and placement of suspended officials’ names on the Exit Control List (ECL). The committee also reviewed the Jaranwala incidents of Aug 16, 2023, and was informed that 389 people had been arrested, while proceedings in several cases were either pending trial or had been concluded. The chairperson expressed concern over the prolonged pendency of the cases, stressing that the matter involved a minority community and required urgent resolution. She directed authorities to properly assess the losses suffered by affected families, particularly damage to their houses, and provide compensation accordingly. A representative of the chief secretary said an assessment committee would evaluate the losses in the presence of community representatives. The government planned to distribute Rs2 million to each affected family. Families, however, told the committee that the compensation did not correspond to their actual losses. Senator Zehri directed authorities to take the affected people into confidence and determine compensation on the basis of verified losses. The committee also examined the case of Zeeshan, a sanitary worker associated with a third party and deputed to the Suthra Punjab office. Officials said he had initially been engaged in 2025 and later assigned duties as a naib qasid in the office’s IT room before being dismissed for misconduct. The committee sought all relevant documents and directed that the family members of the deceased be invited to the next meeting to present their position. On the target-killing case of Ahmed Javed, the committee was informed that the main accused had been granted bail by the high court. The complainant alleged that the accused appeared at hearings with 40 to 50 people, creating an atmosphere of intimidation. The committee recommended that an application be moved before the court to prevent such practices. Child begging in Islamabad was another major issue discussed. Senator Quratul Ain Marri called for a permanent rehabilitation centre, with education and skills-development programmes for children. The committee also reviewed the Hina Javed, Hina Zareef and Mir Raza cases and sought detailed reports from police authorities. In the Mir Raza case, the committee recommended the arrest of the SHO concerned over alleged mishandling of the crime scene. It directed all departments to submit the required reports and documents at the next meeting. PML-N, ANP senators spar A meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights turned acrimonious on Wednesday as PML-N Senator Abid Sher Ali and Awami National Party (ANP) chief Senator Aimal Wali Khan clashed over the questioning of Suthra Punjab officials in connection with the death of a Gujranwala Waste Management Company (GWMC) worker. Chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the committee was reviewing the death of the employee, who allegedly died by suicide after receiving only half of his salary and facing termination of his contract. Tensions rose when Senator Khan pressed officials with tough questions. Senator Ali interrupted, objecting to his tone. “Listen to them, you are conducting an inquiry and asking questions as if you are sitting in a police station, ” he said. When another member suggested that the cameras be switched off, Ali said he had “nothing wrong to say”. “Speak properly, ” he told Khan. “I am speaking properly, you speak properly too, ” Khan responded. Senators then intervened to defuse the situation. Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026

Read full story on Dawn