“Terrible incident”: IHC seeks detailed report on accountability following PIMS tragedy

The Islamabad High Court heard a petition seeking the removal of the Executive Director of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from his post and legal action in connection with the PIMS tragedy.

The court sought a report regarding the responsibility fixed on the Executive Director of PIMS in connection with the incident.

During the hearing, the petitioner's lawyer argued that children had lost their lives in the tragedy and requested that the Executive Director of PIMS be removed from his position.

Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned how the court could issue a direction for the removal of an official from his post. Justice Dogar termed the PIMS fire a “terrible incident” and observed that the loss of 14 children was extremely serious.

The petitioner's counsel stated that the Executive Director of PIMS oversees an annual budget of approximately Rs. 20 to Rs. 22 billion.

The lawyer further told the court that despite such a large budget, four children were being accommodated on a single hospital bed.

Justice Sarfraz Dogar remarked that, to his understanding, the Executive Director of PIMS had already been removed from his position.

The petitioner's counsel responded that although the official had been removed, no responsibility had been fixed against him. He further stated that the inquiry report had also not held the Executive Director of PIMS responsible for the incident.

Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez informed the court that a preliminary report had been submitted and that the complete report would be filed within five days.

The Islamabad High Court, while seeking the report, adjourned the hearing.