Police complete probe into deaths of 14 newborns at PIMS

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have completed their inquiry into the deaths of 14 newborns at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), with the findings submitted to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for onward transmission to the Ministry of Interior.

The inquiry report contains written statements from officials questioned in connection with the incident, along with details regarding their whereabouts. CCTV footage obtained from PIMS and Safe City surveillance cameras has also been included in the report.

Police recorded statements from former PIMS Executive Director Imran Sikandar and Professor Dr Saadia. Statements were also obtained from Dr Naghma, Dr Mutahir, Chaudhry Wirth Ali Raza, Dr Nosheela Amjad, Dr Muhammad Usman and Dr Abdul Rehman.

Investigators also recorded the statement of Razia, who reportedly rescued a child during the incident.

The inquiry was conducted under Section 174, and a decision on whether to register a formal criminal case will be taken after the report receives final approval from the Ministry of Interior.

The development follows concerns raised by the Senate and National Assembly standing committees on health over the CCTV footage of the PIMS fire, which resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns. Lawmakers questioned the completeness and authenticity of the footage, with some suggesting it may have been edited or manipulated.

The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, was briefed on the investigation by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. The minister told the committee that the neonatal nursery was engulfed by flames within approximately two minutes.

During the meeting, committee members were shown CCTV footage of the incident. Senator Nasir Butt questioned the number of staff members present on duty at the time and raised doubts about the authenticity of the footage, saying it appeared to have been edited.

Lawmakers also questioned how the nursery could have been destroyed so rapidly and expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the incident.

Several committee members said they should have received the inquiry report before being briefed, arguing that reviewing the findings beforehand would have enabled them to raise more focused questions.

Committee member Masroor Ahsan also referred to previous concerns raised by lawmakers regarding the former PIMS executive director. He questioned who should be held responsible for the deaths of the 14 newborns and referred to allegations of corruption previously levelled against the former executive director.