PIMS tragedy: Inquiry committee questions over 30 staff
News Desk
Islamabad: The inquiry into the deaths of 14 newborns in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has widened, with the investigation committee recording statements from more than 30 employees and examining CCTV footage and other evidence.
Sources said the committee questioned staff from different PIMS departments, including Health Management personnel, and sought written statements from employees concerned to establish the sequence of events and determine whether any negligence occurred.
Statements of PIMS Executive Director and Joint Director have also been recorded, while the administration has provided the committee with an electrical medical report for examination.
The committee also questioned 18 security guards deployed at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) unit about their duties, security arrangements and the situation at the time of the incident. The duty roster and attendance records of nursery staff were also examined.
Investigators have reviewed CCTV recordings from PIMS along with other available records and evidence. Separate questions were put to employees to establish individual responsibilities and reconstruct the events surrounding the fire.
Sources said the committee is expected to prepare a report after completing its review, with recommendations likely to cover the causes of the incident, possible negligence and responsibility for any lapses. The inquiry remains ongoing and further statements may be recorded.
Meanwhile, a separate petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court seeking the formation of a judicial commission to conduct an independent investigation into the August 26 PIMS tragedy.
Advocate Qasim Iqbal Jalali filed the petition in his personal capacity, naming the Federation, Interior Secretary, Health Secretary, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Inspector General of Police Islamabad as respondents.
The petition seeks a commission comprising a judge or session judge of the Islamabad High Court and calls for a forensic investigation into the incident.
It also requests a comprehensive audit of PIMS’ fire alarm system to determine whether the safety mechanism functioned properly and identify any technical failure or negligence.
The petition asks the court to examine all aspects of the tragedy, determine responsibility and direct measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The fire broke out in the gynecology ward of PIMS on August 26, killing 14 newborn babies in the nursery, according to the Islamabad district administration. The victims’ bodies were later handed over to their families, while affected families also staged protests.
Rescue sources had initially reported 15 deaths, but the district administration subsequently confirmed the death toll at 14.rephrase as news with different angle.
