Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal on Friday assured the National Assembly that no person found responsible for the deaths of 14 newborn babies in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) fire incident would be spared, stressing that the government would ensure accountability based on evidence.
Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister said there could be no substitute for the lives of the innocent children and acknowledged that the tragedy had no justification.
He said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had constituted a high-powered inquiry committee without including officials from any government department to ensure an impartial investigation.
He said clear terms of reference had been set for the committee and all departments and institutions concerned had been directed to provide complete cooperation and information whenever required.
Mustafa Kamal said the committee had been working for the past 24 hours and was examining the statements and positions of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), PIMS administration and other relevant quarters.
He said the preliminary report of the committee was expected upon completion of 48 hours, adding that the investigation would be based on evidence, including digital evidence, video footage, eyewitness accounts and statements of relatives of the victims.
“I assure you on behalf of the government that whoever is found responsible, starting from my own office, no one will be spared,” he said.
Mustafa Kamal also urged lawmakers not to impose an arbitrary deadline on the parliamentary committee, saying recommendations should be implemented as and when they emerged rather than waiting for a fixed period.
He said the tragedy should also prompt a broader discussion on child mortality in Pakistan, pointing out that infant deaths occurred annually in the country and many of these lives could potentially be saved through timely and effective healthcare interventions.
“Let us work together to save another child from facing such an incident,” he said.
The minister assured the House that the Ministry of National Health Services would provide all available information and details to the parliamentary committee and fully cooperate with any investigation.
