By: ANI Parliamentary Reporter:
ISLAMABAD — A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights was held under the chairmanship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri to discuss the deaths of 14 newborn babies at PIMS and the murder cases of Hina Javed, Hina Zarif and Mir Raza Ali Khan.
Senators Masroor Ahsan, Qurat-ul-Ain Marri, Abid Sher Ali, Aimal Wali Khan and Atta-ul-Haq participated in the proceedings.
The committee expressed serious concern over the failure to register an FIR in the PIMS tragedy involving the deaths of 14 newborn babies. The Health Secretary informed the committee that a letter had been sent to the Interior Ministry for criminal proceedings.
The chairperson rejected the explanation and directed that an FIR be registered immediately. Senator Aimal Wali Khan questioned the delay and said the police should be held responsible for failing to register the FIR.
Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri questioned whether the state or the parents of the deceased children would be the complainant. The Health Secretary said the PIMS administration would file the complaint, prompting the chairperson to object and insist that the state should register the FIR.
The chairperson directed that a copy of the FIR be presented before her before the next meeting. She also sought details regarding the extension of the PIMS Executive Director and demanded that the names of concerned PIMS administration officials be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Senator Abid Sher Ali criticised the lack of accountability in hospitals and demanded strict action against those responsible, including confiscation of their properties. The committee directed authorities to initiate FIRs and legal proceedings without waiting for the final inquiry report.
Heated Exchange Between Abid Sher Ali and Aimal Wali Khan
During discussion on the suicide of a sanitary worker in Gujranwala and the “Suthra Punjab” programme, a heated exchange took place between PML-N Senator Abid Sher Ali and ANP Senator Aimal Wali Khan.
The confrontation began when committee members were questioning officials of the Gujranwala Waste Management Company and the Director General of Suthra Punjab. Abid Sher Ali intervened and told Aimal Wali Khan not to “become an SHO” and to listen to the other side as well.
Aimal Wali Khan objected, saying Abid Sher Ali was not his boss and could not stop him from questioning officials. The verbal exchange intensified and eventually turned into a scuffle between the two senators.
The chairperson and other committee members, including Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri, intervened and calmed the situation. The ANP later condemned the incident, describing it as contrary to parliamentary values.
Committee Orders Rehabilitation Centre for Beggar Children
The Deputy Commissioner Islamabad briefed the committee on action against beggars in the capital. Officials said there were more than 1,000 beggars in Islamabad, while adult beggars are sent to jail and children are kept separately.
The chairperson questioned what would happen to children after their release and return to slums and asked why there was no rehabilitation facility for them.
Senator Aimal Wali Khan said begging was being used as an organised business model involving the alleged kidnapping and sale of children. He said arresting children alone would not solve the problem and called for action against those operating such networks.
The committee directed the authorities to establish a rehabilitation centre for beggar children.
CPO Briefs Committee on Hina Javed Murder Case
CPO Rawalpindi briefed the committee on the investigation into Hina Javed’s murder, saying forensic teams were called immediately after the incident and evidence was collected scientifically.
He said 19 pieces of evidence had been collected and sent for forensic examination, while DNA samples had also been obtained. The forensic report is awaited.
The CPO said a supervisory team and prosecution team were working on the case and police had remained in contact with the victim’s family. He added that there were no eyewitnesses and that Hina Javed’s father-in-law was also being investigated.
Hina Zarif Murder Case Also Reviewed
The committee also discussed the murder of Hina Zarif and questioned police officials about the handling of the case.
Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri questioned why police became the complainant in the Hina Zarif case but did not take similar action in the PIMS tragedy involving 14 newborn deaths.
She also revealed that Hina Zarif was pregnant and questioned how such an important detail had allegedly been overlooked.
Police officials said Hina Zarif’s brother and husband were in custody. The committee directed authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the case.
Mir Raza Ali Khan Murder Case
The committee also questioned Sindh Police officials over the investigation into the murder of Mir Raza Ali Khan.
Members raised concerns over alleged negligence and conflicting reports. Police officials said they had fully cooperated with the victim’s family and faced no pressure in the investigation.
Senator Abid Sher Ali demanded action against officials found responsible for negligence, while Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri questioned the suspension of the SHO and called for stronger accountability.
Police officials said the SHO and DSP had been suspended over negligence. The committee stressed that all officials found responsible for wrongdoing must be held accountable under the law.
