Record of PIMS tragedy sought, if negligence proved action will be taken against responsible, High Court

Court suspends Justice of Peace's order rejecting application to register FIR of PIMS tragedy

Islamabad: Islamabad High Court while issuing notice on request to register case of deaths of children in PIMS tragedy and payment of compensation to affected families, sought complete record including inquiry report.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard on application of lawyer Riaz Hanif Rahi and suspended Justice of Peace's order rejecting application to register FIR of PIMS tragedy.

Court while issuing notices to federal government, Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Health and Establishment Division sought reply, while notices were also issued to Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, Auditor General, Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. In addition, court also issued notices to CDA, Capital Emergency Services, Executive Director PIMS, IG Islamabad and DG FIA.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro remarked that he will seek all reports and evidence and if any negligence comes forward then will order to register case against responsible.

During hearing, lawyer Riaz Hanif Rahi took stance that in PIMS tragedy 14 children were burnt at same time, while one child died later. He said that even with children of animals in jungle such thing does not happen. On this Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro instructed lawyer to come directly to his case.

Lawyer told court that till today FIR of deaths of children in PIMS tragedy has not been registered. On this Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro inquired what happened, inquiry was held? Lawyer replied that in inquiry report it has been proved that negligence occurred.

Riaz Hanif Rahi requested that court order that FIR be registered and presented today itself before court time ends. On this Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro said that now you are going again towards that side, give legal arguments on your case.

Lawyer told that Justice of Peace had rejected application to register case on basis of petitions pending in High Court. Apart from me no person gave application in police station, although case should have been registered. He raised question that so much evidence has been collected, but FIR has not been registered then where will this evidence be taken?

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro remarked that he will seek all reports and evidence and if any kind of negligence comes forward then will order to register FIR against responsible.

Later court adjourned further hearing of case till November 12.