IHC Judge Raises Questions Over PIMS Facilities After Children’s Ward Fire

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Muhammad Asif has expressed serious concerns over the facilities available at PIMS Hospital following the fire incident in its children’s ward, saying hospitals should have adequate resources to deal with such emergencies.

The remarks came during the hearing of petitions seeking the transfer of three ordinary prisoners to private hospitals for medical treatment.

During the proceedings, Punjab Advocate General Barrister Zafarullah expressed sorrow over the incident at PIMS Hospital, saying the tragedy was deeply regrettable.

Justice Muhammad Asif observed that hospitals should have sufficient facilities to deal with such incidents, adding that providing adequate healthcare facilities was the government’s responsibility.

The judge remarked, “Fourteen children lost their lives; this is the state of affairs we are in.” He expressed disappointment that such an incident had occurred at a hospital in the federal capital and urged the authorities to pay attention to the condition of healthcare facilities.

Justice Asif further questioned how people could be sent there for treatment when, according to him, adequate facilities were not available.

The Punjab Advocate General said that, as a citizen, he felt ashamed over the incident and stated that there could be no justification for what had happened.

The court subsequently raised questions over the availability and adequacy of medical facilities at PIMS Hospital.