ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday directed immediate registration of an FIR pertaining to negligence and loss of lives, attachment of the assets of responsible officials, initiation of criminal proceedings against them without further ado, and placement of the names of suspended officers on the Exit Control List (ECL).
The meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights was held at the Parliament Lodges under the chairpersonship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri. It was informed on Wednesday that no First Information Report (FIR) had so far been registered regarding the fire incident at the nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), in which 14 newborn babies lost their lives.
Expressing serious concern, Senator Zehri directed immediate registration of an FIR pertaining to negligence and the loss of lives, attachment of the assets of responsible officials, initiation of criminal proceedings against them without further ado, and placement of the names of suspended officers on the Exit Control List (ECL). Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan pointed out that the PM had directed the termination of the services of eight employees and registration of criminal cases against those responsible. He questioned why no action had been taken despite the PM’s directives.
The CCPO Karachi briefed the committee on Mir Raza case. It was informed that the deceased’s father had reported his son missing in July 2026. The committee was further informed that the relevant SHO had failed to properly preserve the crime scene and had shifted the body to hospital. The SHO and DSP were subsequently suspended for negligence. The committee recommended arresting the SHO.
The committee also reviewed the August 16, 2023 Jaranwala church attacks following a false blasphemy accusation and was told 389 persons were arrested. It called for justice and compensation based on actual losses, noting affected families’ concerns that the Rs2 million compensation did not adequately cover the damage. In another hearing, the CEO, Gujranwala Waste Management Company, briefed the committee on sanitary worker Zeeshan’s suicide, allegedly over severe wage exploitation. The committee questioned his role at the Suthra Punjab office and directed the department to submit relevant documents, while ordering that his family, which had received compensation and a plot, be invited to the next meeting.
The committee also reviewed the target killing of Ahmed Javed, whose main accused had secured bail, and heard the family’s allegations that he attended hearings with 40-50 persons to intimidate them and witnesses. The committee recommended seeking court directions against such intimidation and questioned why the accused was allowed to move with so many guards.
Senator Aimal Wali Khan criticised the CCD in Punjab and CTD in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the criminal justice system’s effectiveness, while the chairperson questioned NCCIA’s handling of malicious online content and evidence required for prosecution.
The committee also discussed child begging in Islamabad, noting inadequate rehabilitation facilities. Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri called for a permanent rehabilitation centre, while Senator Aimal Wali Khan said organised groups controlled begging points in parts of the country.
The CPO Rawalpindi briefed the committee on the Hina Javed case, saying evidence had been scientifically preserved and sent for forensic examination, with an FIR registered against her husband, father-in-law and a servant. The committee was also briefed that Hina Zareef, who had allegedly been forcibly married in October 2025, was later killed by her father in Lahore in an alleged honour-related incident. The chairperson sought a complete report at the next meeting.
Meanwhile, a heated verbal exchange took place between PMLN Senator Abid Sher Ali and ANP Senator Aimal Wali Khan during the committee meeting after members subjected officials of the Suthra Punjab programme to tough questioning.
Abid Sher Ali objected, saying Aimal Wali Khan was not allowing the officials to give their briefing. Aimal Wali Khan took an exception to the remark, leading to a heated exchange between the two senators.
