PIMS fire: MQM-P MPA says Asif Zardari should resign first

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Sindh Assembly member Engineer Syed Muhammad Usman on Thursday rejected the Sindh government’s demand for the resignation of Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal over the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) fire incident, which claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies.

Usman said the PIMS incident should not be given a political colour and that those responsible should be identified through a transparent and impartial inquiry.

He noted that PIMS was established in 1987 and had operated under several federal governments, including 12 years of federal rule by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

“The PPP’s 12-year tenure at the federal level should also be included in the investigation into the PIMS incident,” he said.

Usman pointed out that Mustafa Kamal had been serving as federal health minister for only one year and four months, arguing that previous governments should also be held accountable for the hospital’s affairs.

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“If the logic of seeking resignations is applied, President Asif Ali Zardari should be the first to resign,” the MQM-P lawmaker said.

He also criticised the Sindh government, alleging that it had failed to arrest those responsible in the Mir Raza murder case and other incidents.

“If resignations are demanded after every incident, Sindh’s ministers would have to resign every day,” Usman remarked.

The MQM-P MPA called for those responsible for the PIMS tragedy to be identified and dealt with in accordance with the law.

He said the incident should be investigated on merit rather than being used for political point-scoring.