- Pims hospital fire report to be released tonight: Kamal.
- Minister invites opposition for talks on health reforms.
- Pims tragedy matter will not “die down”: minister.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has pledged that those responsible for the deadly inferno at the Pims hospital in Islamabad will not be spared, saying that the “matter will not die down” come what may.
“I am the health minister. I consider myself responsible [for the tragedy]…. I presented myself [for accountability], said Kamal while addressing the Senate session 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, 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 conclusions.
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 minister said the Ministry of Health was ready to provide the investigation committee with all information and details available with it.
Responding to calls for his resignation, Kamal said he did not want to respond to those demanding his resignation until the investigation was completed.
“Let the investigation be completed. I have already taken action beyond what they are thinking,” he added.
NA, Senate approve special parliamentary committee motions
Separately, the National Assembly and Senate on Friday approved motions for the formation of a special parliamentary committee to examine matters related to the Pims tragedy.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the motion for the formation of the committee in the National Assembly, while Senator Sherry Rehman moved the motion in the Senate.
The Senate authorised Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to constitute the special committee, while the National Assembly empowered Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to form it.
The committee will be constituted through consultation between the Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker.
The two parliamentary leaders will also determine the committee’s terms of reference (ToRs) and the number of its members. The special parliamentary committee will examine matters related to the Pims tragedy.
A day earlier, the federal government announced a compensation of Rs5 million for the family of each infant killed in the devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences gynaecology ward.
In a statement, the government said it stood equally in the grief and sorrow of the affected families and would provide them every possible support and assistance.
The government acknowledged that compensation could not replace a human life and described the payment as an attempt to ease the hardships of the bereaved families.
