By Sumayya
ISLAMABAD — Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has vowed that those responsible for the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad will not be spared, saying the matter will not be allowed to “die down”.
“I am the health minister. I consider myself responsible [for the tragedy] … I presented myself [for accountability],” Kamal said while addressing the Senate on Friday.
The federal minister also called for forming a committee comprising opposition members to conduct an investigation into the incident that claimed the lives of 14 newborns on Wednesday.
Addressing the upper house session, the minister said that he takes responsibility for the deaths of 14 children in Pims, while urging lawmakers to wait for the completion of an ongoing investigation before reaching any conclusion.
Kamal further said that a committee had been constituted to investigate the incident and would submit its report tonight.
He said the government was awaiting the findings of the investigation and that the conclusions should be based on evidence.
“The decision of the investigation should be based on evidence,” he said, adding that digital evidence, videos and statements from eyewitnesses would form part of the probe.
The health minister said complete information was also being obtained from the families of the affected children.
The minister went on to say that all institutions had been directed to cooperate with the investigation and pledged action against anyone found responsible.
“Whoever is found negligent will not be spared. Not a single individual will be spared in the investigation.”
Kamal said he had also proposed in the Senate that a committee be formed to investigate the matter. He added that a joint committee comprising members of the National Assembly and Senate could also be constituted.
The health minister clarified that the healthcare ministry maintained total readiness to supply the investigative body with every piece of accessible information and organizational detail in its possession.
Addressing public demands advocating for his stepping down, Kamal stated that he preferred to withhold a formal response to those calling for his departure until the comprehensive inquiry was fully concluded.
“Allow the official investigation to reach its conclusion. I have already executed administrative interventions that far exceed what they are currently anticipating,” he added.
National Assembly and Senate Endorse Special Legislative Inquiries
In separate legislative actions, the National Assembly and the Senate authorized formal resolutions to establish a specialized joint parliamentary panel tasked with analyzing the factors surrounding the catastrophic healthcare facility event.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the proposal for the creation of the legislative panel before the National Assembly floor, while Senator Sherry Rehman introduced the corresponding motion within the upper chamber.
The Senate granted formal authority to Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to select the members of the special panel, while the National Assembly similarly entrusted Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq with the selection process.
The specialized panel will be systematically assembled following close consultations between the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker.
The two high-ranking parliamentary leaders will additionally formulate the panel’s terms of reference (ToRs) and finalize its ultimate membership count. This special legislative body is specifically mandated to investigate the operational lapses tied to the Pims disaster.
During the previous day’s proceedings, the federal administration declared a financial compensation package of 5 million rupees for the household of each newborn who perished inside the heavily damaged maternity wing.
In an official public briefing, the government emphasized that it shared an equal burden of sorrow and pain with the grieving households, pledging to extend all conceivable administrative backing and humanitarian aid to the victims.
The administration openly conceded that financial disbursements could never serve as a substitute for a human life, characterizing the monetary support as a conscientious effort to mitigate the immediate struggles confronting the mourning families.
