Senate Panel Rejects PIMS Fire Probe, Orders Fresh Investigation

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights has rejected the investigation report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and ordered a fresh inquiry, escalating scrutiny of the incident that resulted in the deaths of 14 children.

During a committee meeting, Senator Samina Mumtaz called for immediate registration of a first information report and questioned why the hospital's former executive director had not been included in the investigation. The committee said responsibility for the tragedy must be established through a more comprehensive examination of the available evidence.

Members described the existing inquiry as incomplete and directed authorities to conduct a new investigation. The committee also sought forensic examination and DNA testing as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine whether criminal responsibility should be pursued against individuals found responsible.

A federal police report prepared for criminal proceedings states that authorities received information about a fire in the hospital's emergency area through wireless control. Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Arif arrived while rescue and emergency operations were already underway. The blaze ultimately resulted in 14 deaths in the children's emergency section of the gynecological ward.

The latest Senate intervention follows separate federal government directions aimed at overhauling safety arrangements and administrative systems at PIMS. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif previously ordered authorities to implement short-term recommendations from an inquiry and performance audit within three months, with fire prevention measures among the priorities identified for immediate action.

The hospital's performance audit found compliance with only 39.7 percent of the indicators assessed, significantly below the stated acceptable target of 90 percent. Officials also informed the government that 37 recommendations identified in the earlier inquiry were being implemented on an urgent basis as part of short-, medium- and long-term improvement measures.

Authorities have additionally been instructed to seek technical recommendations on fire safety and examine guidance contained in a World Health Organization report. The Capital Development Authority was directed to ensure fire safety compliance at public and private hospitals in Islamabad and to carry out audits of other government and private buildings.

The rejection of the initial probe means the investigation into the PIMS tragedy will now face renewed examination alongside the criminal process. The next steps are expected to include the fresh inquiry sought by the Senate committee, forensic work, possible DNA testing and consideration of legal action based on the findings, while hospital administrators remain under pressure to complete the ordered safety and management reforms.