Senate Human Rights Committee Questions PIMS Tragedy, Murder Investigations and Child Safety

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights on Thursday reviewed several serious human rights violations, including the PIMS Hospital tragedy, an attempted child abduction, and the murder cases of Hina Zarif, Ahmad Javed, Mir Raza Ali and Shukriya Bibi.The meeting was chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri.

Committee Expresses Concern Over PIMS Tragedy

The committee expressed serious concern over the incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), questioning the accountability process and the failure to register a First Information Report (FIR) despite earlier directions.

The Additional Secretary Ministry of National Health Services informed the committee that a meeting had been held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and that an action plan had been prepared against those responsible. However, he acknowledged that complete information regarding the incident was not yet available.

Senator Masroor demanded the daily police diary (roznamcha) covering the entire day of the incident, from midnight to midnight. He said he had personally visited PIMS and Polyclinic twice seeking assistance but claimed that hospital authorities failed to provide a satisfactory response.

The committee chairperson expressed concern over the removal of the name of the Executive Director (ED) PIMS from the list of officials facing action and the subsequent inclusion of new names.She questioned whether an attempt was being made to protect the former ED PIMS, stating that while the Prime Minister might be satisfied with the official report, she was not.The Additional Secretary suggested summoning relevant committee members to determine why the ED’s name had been removed from the list.

New PIMS Executive Director Questioned

The newly appointed Executive Director PIMS also appeared before the committee.The chairperson questioned him about the measures taken during his first 15 days in office, particularly regarding emergency exits, locked doors and hospital fire safety arrangements.She asked why firefighters had been forced to enter the hospital through the roof during the tragedy.

Committee member Senator Quratulain Marri questioned the role of the security force and those responsible for awarding relevant contracts, stating that accountability should extend to all officials responsible for negligence.She also criticized the removal of the Health Secretary while those operating and managing the hospital remained in their positions.

FIR Not Registered Despite Committee Directions

The committee chairperson expressed anger over the non-registration of an FIR regarding the PIMS incident despite repeated instructions.She directed SP Islamabad Police Zeeshan to immediately proceed to the police station, register the FIR and return to the committee.

“If my house catches fire, will I lodge an FIR against an assistant commissioner?” she questioned, adding that the victims were someone’s children and possibly their parents’ last hope.Senator Masroor maintained that registration of an FIR was necessary to initiate the legal process and suggested that police officials could be facing pressure from senior authorities.Upon returning, SP Zeeshan informed the committee that the daily diary had been submitted and that the FIR would be presented within ten minutes.

However, police officials stated that proceedings were already underway under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), treating the incident as accidental.The committee chairperson rejected this position, saying the incident could not simply be classified as accidental.Despite the committee’s instructions, the FIR had not been registered by the conclusion of the meeting.

Attempted Child Abduction Reported at PIMS

The committee also took up a case involving an alleged attempt to abduct a child from PIMS Hospital during the late hours of the night.Upon questioning, PIMS authorities confirmed that the incident had occurred.

The confirmation prompted strong criticism from committee members over security arrangements and the overall conditions at the hospital.The committee expressed concern over the safety of patients, particularly children, within the hospital premises.

Shukriya Bibi Murder Case: Balochistan Authorities Summoned

The committee was briefed on the murder of Shukriya Bibi, aged approximately 16 to 17 years, in Balochistan.The SSP Investigation Crime Branch informed members that the deceased was the second wife of the accused, who was nearly 50 years old.

According to the briefing, the accused allegedly became enraged after Shukriya looked outside the door, subjected her to violence with an iron rod and subsequently killed her.Police officials stated that the suspect had been arrested and the alleged murder weapon recovered.Taking serious notice of the case, the committee summoned a detailed report from the Balochistan authorities.

Hina Zarif Murder Case: Committee Questions ‘Honour Killing’ Narrative

Briefing the committee on the murder of Hina Zarif, SP Islamabad Police Zeeshan stated that the victim had been residing at a shelter home in Lahore before being taken away by her father and husband.According to the police, the victim was subsequently murdered and her body was left at Polyclinic.The briefing stated that Hina Zarif had sustained six gunshot wounds. Her father, husband, brother and cousin were nominated in the case, while police alleged that her brother had fired the shots.

Police further informed the committee that the husband had earlier registered an FIR alleging that the victim had been abducted and honey-trapped.The committee chairperson questioned the characterization of the case as an honour killing, arguing that women leaving their homes should not automatically be presumed to have eloped.She criticized the use of the term “honour killing” and questioned whether such language contributed to prejudice against victims.

Additional IG Punjab clarified that police were not defending any accused and described honour killing as “dishonourable killing.”The chairperson expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Punjab Police and the prosecution department, accusing them of delaying justice through repeated briefings without meaningful progress.

Ahmad Javed Murder Case: Committee Directs Action Against Accused on Bail

The Senate committee also reviewed the murder case of Ahmad Javed in Lahore.

Taking strict notice of the matter, the committee issued directives to the Prosecutor General Punjab and called for immediate legal action against all suspects currently out on bail.

The committee directed that the matter of cancellation of bail of the accused be pursued in accordance with law.

Ayesha Javed Rape and Murder Case Under Review

The committee was briefed on the investigation into the alleged sexual assault, illegal abortion and subsequent murder of domestic worker Ayesha Javed in Lahore.The case was registered under FIR No. 190/2026 at Model Town Police Station.

According to the briefing, the initial FIR was registered on April 28, 2026, following which Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Um-e-Kulsoom and Ahsan Ali Naqvi were arrested. Co-accused Muhammad Hasan was arrested on May 14 and subsequently sent on judicial remand after undergoing a potency test.The victim later died during treatment at Services Hospital on May 26, following which Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code was added to the case, formally expanding the investigation to include murder charges.

Police informed the committee that the primary accused ,Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Um-e-Kulsoom, Ahsan Ali Naqvi and Aon Naqvi were granted pre-arrest bail on June 29 after the deceased’s parents submitted affidavits expressing no objection.Police officials clarified, however, that the granting of bail did not affect the prosecution’s investigation.The mobile phones of the accused and medical evidence have been sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) for forensic examination and matching.

Mir Raza Ali Murder Case: Police Investigation Under Scrutiny

Sindh Police officials briefed the committee on the murder investigation of Mir Raza Ali.Authorities informed the committee that the SHO and DSP concerned had been suspended for failing to properly investigate the initial crime scene.

According to the briefing, police recorded 78 statements, reviewed CCTV footage and call detail records (CDRs), and examined two conflicting post-mortem reports.A judicial commission had been proposed to investigate the matter further, but the victim’s parents rejected the proposal and expressed confidence in the existing investigation team.

Police officials stated that the deceased had been involved in cryptocurrency trading and that his account showed a deficit of $139.The forensic laboratory report reportedly found a mismatch between the pistol and the bullet marked MT. Gunshot residue (GSR) was allegedly detected on both hands, while evidence indicating the use of anesthesia was also found.

Authorities further informed the committee that a letter had been sent to Apple seeking access to relevant iCloud data.An interim charge sheet (chalan) was submitted on September 7, while the case remained officially untraced.The committee chairperson questioned IG Sindh regarding alleged traces of hydrochloric acid found on the victim’s shirt and asked why the statement of MLO Dr Samia had not yet been recorded.The committee sought further clarification from Sindh Police on these unresolved aspects of the investigation.