Senate Panel rejects PIMS inquiry into deaths of 14 newborns, orders FIR

Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights rejected an inquiry report into the deaths of 14 newborn babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and ordered authorities to launch an FIR, submit the full names and designations of those responsible and provide forensic and DNA reports at the next meeting.

The committee meeting was chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri and attended by Senators Khalil Tahir, Poonjo Bheel, Quratul Ain Marri, Syed Masroor Ehsan and Hafiz Abdul Karim. Senior officials from the Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Health, PIMS, Sindh Police, Punjab Police, Islamabad Police and Balochistan Police also attended the meeting.

During the discussion on the PIMS tragedy, the committee said the inquiry report submitted by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health did not satisfy the panel. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri questioned why senior management had not been properly covered in the accountability process while attention had been placed on lower level staff and private security personnel.

The committee also raised questions about serious administrative issues at the hospital, including locked entry doors during critical hours. It directed the relevant authorities to register an FIR against the people considered responsible and provide their complete names and official designations before the next meeting. The panel also sought the complete forensic and DNA reports.

The committee then examined the death of Hina Zareef at Nilor Police Station. It directed the concerned SP to present complete forensic reports and examine all possible aspects of the case, including the possibility of domestic violence. The committee ordered that the necessary legal process be completed before the next meeting.

The panel also discussed the case of targeted cyber harassment involving Ahmed Javed. Members raised concerns about the legal proceedings involving the accused and directed the relevant authorities to take steps before the concerned court regarding cancellation of bail where legally possible. A compliance report was sought within seven days.

The committee was also briefed on the murder case of Mir Raza Ali Khan in Karachi. The Inspector General of Sindh Police told the panel that the SHO and SP had been suspended over alleged negligence. He also explained issues surrounding reports on a second post mortem examination that had circulated on social media. The committee decided to defer the matter for a separate meeting in Karachi.

In another case, involving Shukria Bibi in New Kuchlak, Quetta, the committee was told that the victim had been identified as an Afghan refugee aged between 18 and 19 years. The accused is in police custody and was described during the briefing as a repeat offender, with officials stating that he had previously been involved in the killing of his former wife. The committee directed Balochistan authorities to submit the final investigation report on a priority basis.

The committee also deferred discussion on the reported sexual assault and murder of an 18 month old child in Qayyumabad, Karachi. Police authorities were directed to submit detailed reports covering investigation progress, forensic findings and measures taken for the protection of the affected families.

The committee separately reviewed FIR No. 190 of 2026 registered at Model Town Police Station, Lahore, concerning the case of domestic worker Ayesha Javed. Officials briefed the committee that Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Umme Kulsoom and Ahsan Ali Naqvi were arrested after the FIR was registered on April 28, 2026. Co-accused Muhammad Hassan was arrested on May 14 and sent into judicial custody after a potency test.

Officials said Ayesha Javed later died during treatment at Services Hospital on May 26, 2026. Following her death, Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code was added to the case to include the allegation of murder in the investigation.

The committee was told that Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Umme Kulsoom, Ahsan Ali Naqvi and Aun Naqvi were granted pre-arrest bail on June 29, 2026, after the deceased woman’s parents submitted affidavits stating they had no objection. Police officials clarified that the grant of bail does not by itself decide the final merits of the prosecution case.

Officials further informed the committee that mobile phones of the accused and medical material had been sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency for forensic examination. A separate inquiry into the reported illegal abortion at Sohail Surgical in Raiwind had also been referred to the Punjab Healthcare Commission.

According to the briefing, police had found no official negligence at that stage, while the final legal position and charges would depend on the complete review of digital, medical and forensic evidence. The committee directed that a further investigation report be presented at its next meeting.

The meeting brought several serious human rights cases under review, with the committee repeatedly demanding complete investigation reports, forensic evidence and clear action from police and other authorities. The committee also stressed the need for timely follow up so that pending investigations move forward through the legal process.