Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has expressed dissatisfaction with several investigations into high-profile cases of negligence and violence, demanding immediate action from relevant authorities. During a meeting at the Parliament House, the committee scrutinized the handling of cases involving infant deaths, domestic abuse, and targeted harassment, highlighting administrative shortcomings and procedural delays.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, rejected an inquiry report on the deaths of 14 newborns at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The report, submitted by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, was criticized for excluding senior management from accountability. The committee called for a First Information Report (FIR) against the main culprits, insisting on full forensic and DNA reports before the next meeting.

The committee also addressed other critical cases, including the murder of Hina Zareef at Nilor Police Station and a cyber-harassment campaign against Ahmed Javed. The committee instructed law enforcement to expedite legal procedures and submit compliance reports within specified timeframes. Additionally, the murder case of Mir Raza Ali Khan in Karachi was deferred for further discussion, pending detailed briefings.

In Quetta, the case of Shukria Bibi, an Afghan refugee, was reviewed. The committee urged Balochistan authorities to prioritize the investigation and submit final reports promptly. Similarly, cases in Karachi, including the murder of an 18-month-old child, were deferred, with directives for comprehensive updates on forensic findings and protective measures for affected families.

The committee’s agenda included examining the progress of an FIR concerning the sexual assault and murder of domestic worker Ayesha Javed in Lahore. Police briefed the committee on the case’s developments, including arrests and forensic examinations, emphasizing that judicial bail confirmations do not reflect the prosecution’s case merits. The committee requested further investigation reports for its next session.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Health, police representatives from Sindh, Punjab, Islamabad, and Balochistan, highlighting the committee’s commitment to addressing these pressing issues.