The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday suspended a Justice of the Peace order that had rejected a plea for registration of a first information report in the Pims fire case, and directed officials to produce the complete record with the inquiry report.
A single bench headed by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro was hearing a petition seeking a criminal case over the blaze at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad and compensation for affected families. The court also issued notices to the respondents, including the federal government and the Prime Minister’s Office.
What the court ordered
Justice Soomro warned that the court could start criminal proceedings against those responsible for the deaths of 14 newborns if negligence is proved. "I will summon all the reports and evidence," he said, adding that if negligence comes to light, he would order an FIR against those responsible.
Besides the federal government and the PMO, the bench sought replies from the Ministry of Health, the Establishment Division, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, the Auditor General, the chief commissioner, the deputy commissioner, the Capital Development Authority, Capital Emergency Services, the Pims executive director, the Islamabad inspector general of police and the Federal Investigation Agency director general.
The Justice of the Peace order dismissing the FIR application was suspended. Further hearing was fixed for November 12.
What the petitioner argued
Advocate Riaz Hanif Rahi filed the petition. He told the court that 14 children died after being burnt in the incident and that another child later died of injuries. He said no FIR had been registered despite an inquiry, that he alone had approached the police for an FIR, and that the inquiry findings had confirmed lapses.
Rahi urged the court to direct police to register a case the same day. The judge asked him to focus on legal arguments rather than pressing for an immediate FIR order. According to Rahi, the Justice of the Peace had rejected the application because related petitions were already pending before the high court.
The petition seeks an FIR over the deaths of 14 newborns in a fire at the Gynaecology Ward and Special Care Centre of the Mother and Child Hospital at Pims. Rahi alleged gross negligence, including staff absence from a ward that had reportedly been locked to prevent theft. He called the deaths an appalling tragedy; the judge asked him to address the legal merits.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- August 26: A fire broke out in the neonatal nursery on the third floor of the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre at Pims in Islamabad, killing 14 newborn babies.
- After the fire: An inquiry was conducted; counsel told the court its findings confirmed lapses, but no FIR was registered.
- Before the IHC hearing: A Justice of the Peace dismissed the application for registration of a case, citing related petitions already pending in the high court.
- Tuesday: The IHC suspended that dismissal order, sought the inquiry report and full record, issued wide notices, and adjourned the matter to November 12.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Islamabad High Court ne Pims fire case mein Justice of Peace ka woh order rok diya jisme FIR ki darkhwast kharij ki gayi thi. Court ne inquiry report aur poora record mang liya hai aur hukumat se jawab bhi maanga hai. Agli sunwai 12 November ko hogi. Agar la-parwahi sabit hui to court zimmedaron ke khilaf FIR ka hukm de sakti hai.
