PIMS nursery fire: 14 newborn babies die, No FIR registered

Fourteen newborn babies died in a fire at the nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, yet no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered nearly three weeks after the tragedy, prompting the Senate Human Rights Committee to order immediate criminal action against those responsible.

Islamabad: Fourteen newborn babies died in a fire at the nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, yet no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered nearly three weeks after the tragedy, prompting the Senate Human Rights Committee to order immediate criminal action against those responsible.
The incident took place on August 26 at the PIMS neonatal nursery, where 15 babies were present. Officials told the committee that 14 babies died while one survived.

The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, was told that no FIR had been registered over the deaths. Dr Iqbal Durrani of PIMS confirmed before the committee that no FIR had been lodged.

The committee was further informed that a high powered committee formed after the tragedy had recommended suspension of eight people and criminal proceedings against those responsible. The Ministry of Health said the matter had been referred to police authorities, but no FIR had yet been registered.

The delay drew strong criticism from the committee. Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan questioned why no action had been taken despite directions to initiate criminal cases against the responsible officials. The committee later directed that an FIR be lodged immediately over negligence and loss of life, criminal proceedings be started and the assets of responsible officials be attached. It also ordered that the names of suspended officers be placed on the Exit Control List.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri repeatedly questioned PIMS and Health Ministry officials about the delay and demanded clear answers regarding the alleged negligence behind the deaths.

The committee was also told that PIMS had earlier faced complaints about problems in hospital facilities. During the meeting, the chairperson said she had raised concerns about non functioning air conditioners in the children’s ward and neurology department shortly before the nursery tragedy and had asked officials to look into the matter.

The committee also questioned why the suspended officials had not yet faced criminal proceedings. Officials said correspondence had been made with the Ministry of Interior and police authorities, while the final inquiry report was still awaited.

Committee members questioned the slow movement of the case and stressed that the deaths of newborn children could not be treated as another routine incident.

The committee directed the relevant authorities to provide the required reports and take action against those found responsible. It also called for the matter to be pursued through the state, as PIMS is a public hospital.

The case has now been placed under closer parliamentary scrutiny, with the committee demanding criminal proceedings and explanations over the deaths of 14 newborn babies.