PPP demands immediate release of PIMS tragedy inquiry report

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has demanded the immediate public release of the inquiry report into the PIMS tragedy,

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has demanded the immediate public release of the inquiry report into the PIMS tragedy, expressing concerns that evidence related to the incident could be destroyed or tampered with.

PPP Senator Palwasha Khan said there were serious concerns that evidence connected to the incident might be removed or destroyed before a transparent investigation could be completed. She called for the inquiry report to be made public so that the facts could be known to the victims’ families and the general public.

Speaking about the financial affairs of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Palwasha Khan questioned the use of funds allocated to the hospital. She said that PIMS had received approximately Rs22 billion over the past three years and asked where the money had been spent.

She demanded that an audit of the institution’s finances be conducted to determine how the funds were utilized. According to the PPP senator, the matter appeared to involve a broader network of officials and interests, raising questions about how a transparent investigation could be ensured.

Palwasha Khan also expressed concern that responsibility for the tragedy could ultimately be placed on junior officers while senior officials who were allegedly responsible for the situation could escape accountability.

“There is a fear that the blame will be shifted onto lower-ranking officers while senior officials are protected,” she said, stressing that those responsible should be held accountable regardless of their position.

The senator reiterated the PPP’s demand that the PIMS inquiry report be presented before the public without delay. She said transparency was essential to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy and to ensure that the families affected by the incident received justice.

PPP Senator Sehar Kamran, speaking on the occasion, said there could be no real compensation for the suffering endured by the mothers affected by the PIMS tragedy. She expressed sympathy for the families and said the pain caused by the incident could not simply be addressed through statements or condolences.

The PPP’s women senators also discussed the government’s decision to withdraw the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Amendment Bill. They said the government had taken back the legislation, adding another dimension to their criticism of the government’s handling of important national matters.

The demand for the release of the PIMS inquiry report comes after the initial investigation report into the tragedy was submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to sources, the report was submitted by Shahid Khan, a former interior secretary who headed the inquiry committee formed to investigate the incident. The committee was tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and identifying any lapses or individuals responsible.

The submission of the preliminary report to the prime minister marks an important stage in the investigation. However, the PPP has argued that the report should not remain confidential and must be made available to the public.

The party has also called for an independent and transparent process to ensure that evidence is preserved and that accountability does not stop at junior-level officials.

The government has yet to announce whether the inquiry report will be made public. Further developments are expected as authorities review the findings submitted by the inquiry committee.