Pak: Sindh High Court reserves order on plea seeking independent inquiry into HIV outbreak

The court hearing on Tuesday degenerated into uproar as affected families vented their frustration over state inaction. The petitioner argued against disposing of the case, maintaining that the respondents had failed to submit complete written responses, while mothers of the victims chanted slogans inside the courtroom to draw attention to Pakistan's failing public healthcare system.

Following the conclusion of arguments, a two-judge bench headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon reserved the order for pronouncement, though the decision is likely to be announced on Wednesday.

In May, advocate Tariq Mansoor had moved the SHC, naming the Sindh chief secretary, secretary health, SESSI, hospital medical superintendent, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Sindh inspector general of police, and Sindh Child Protection Authority as respondents. The petition exposes systemic lapses and seeks an impartial inquiry, registration of a criminal case, lifelong medical care, and appropriate financial relief for the suffering children.

Highlighting the horrifying human cost of state apathy, the petitioner stated during the hearing that approximately 120 children have tested HIV positive so far, with nine young victims dying while the petition remained pending, Dawn reported. He further alleged that crucial inquiry findings were deliberately being withheld from the court and accused Shazia Altaf of concealing facts from the investigative committee.

When questioned regarding the specific remedies sought, the petitioner submitted that the labour department had promised in writing to share the findings of a high-powered committee, but official transparency remains absent as no report has been provided yet. He also pointed out the institutional irony of placing an official facing allegations in charge of the endowment fund, adding that the health secretary held the authority to lodge a formal complaint against the guilty officials.

Exposing appalling healthcare conditions, mothers of affected children informed the bench that four to five critically ill children were squeezed onto a single bed at the hospital, while medical syringes were routinely reused, a reckless practice driving the deadly outbreak. A distressed woman further submitted that authorities have failed to disburse even "a single penny as compensation" to the struggling families.

According to Dawn, the counsel for SESSI attempted to defend the administration by stating that 37 officers, including Altaf, had been suspended and issued show-cause notices. The counsel added that funds had been located for treatment and rehabilitation, and a special ward had been set up at Aga Khan Hospital to handle the victims.

An additional advocate general claimed that statutory regulations governing disposable syringes exist and that action would be taken once accountability is fixed. However, the provincial law officer pushed to dispose of the petition entirely, arguing that compliance reports had been submitted and claiming a criminal case could not be lodged until responsible officials were formally identified.

Dawn highlighted that the petitioner became emotional during proceedings, questioning how the court could close the matter when complete replies from state respondents were still pending. The judges remarked that a case would be registered if cognisable offences were uncovered during investigations, advising the petitioner to adhere to judicial decorum rather than resorting to courtroom politics.

The hearing ended in a complete collapse of order as family members wept, screamed, and chanted slogans over the plight of their children, ultimately forcing the judges to abandon the courtroom and retreat to their chambers. (ANI)