Press Release Title: Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 14th September, 2026

Senate Health Committee Directs FIR Against Officers Responsible for PIMS Children’s Ward Fire; Ensure Compliance with “There is no substitute for Mother’s Milk” Message on Formula Milk; Review of preparations of upcoming MDCAT exam    The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination was held today at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti. Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Shahzaib Durrani, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Rubina Khalid and Rahat Jamali attended the meeting, while Senator Anusha Rahman Khan participated through Zoom. Senator Jan Muhammad, as Mover of an agenda item, also attended the proceedings.   The Committee started its proceedings with the reciting of the Holy Quran, afterwards the agenda was laid before the committee was moved by Senator Jan Muhammad regarding the problems being faced by Balochistan students at the Health Services Academy, Islamabad. He informed the committee that the students were facing difficulties in getting certification from HSA & Nursing council. The Minister informed the Committee that the Nursing Council had resolved the matter in consultation with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and that their degrees would soon be recognized. He also informed that the students were now eligible for admission to the fifth semester in the place of their choosing.   The Committee reviewed implementation of its earlier directives issued to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) regarding advertisements and promotion of formula milk. The Committee was informed that the statement had been incorporated in the advertisements and packaging of Lactogen and NIDO and that the message had also been aired on various television and radio channels. However the committee found the presentation of chairman pemra to be unsatisfactory & directed her to fully comply to the committee recommendations in the future.   The Committee reviewed the campaign and observed the broadcast of the message on different media channels. Chairman further directed that a voice-over conveying the same message should also form part of formula milk advertisements and the statement “There is no substitute for Mother’s Milk” be printed in Urdu on all formula milk packaging. It further directed the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to develop a 30-second public service message promoting breastfeeding and hand it over to PEMRA for airing during television transmissions. Minister fully acknowledged the committees recommendation.   The Committee considered the Bill titled “The Islamabad Healthcare Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026.” The Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination informed the Committee that the provisions proposed in the Bill were already part of the existing Act but had not been implemented.    Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri observed that the matter required immediate attention, particularly in view of overcharging by private hospitals. She said that effective regulation of healthcare facilities was essential, especially for the common and underprivileged segments of society. The Minister informed the Committee that the Prime Minister is the competent authority for constitution of the IHRA Board and that large-scale recruitment was required to make the Authority fully functional, since a large number of resignations have been received from the IHRA board since the PIMS fire incident. The agenda item was deferred until the next meeting.   Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan also raised the issue of nursing students serving as interns at Federal Government Polyclinic under the clinical internship programme. He pointed out that the interns had not received their stipends from May to August 2026. The Committee directed to resolve the matter on an urgent basis and submit a report at its next meeting.   Regarding implementation of the Committee’s recommendations made during its meeting held on 20th August 2026 concerning the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the Committee reiterated that the BDS degree should comprise four years plus one year of house job, instead of five years plus one year. The Committee directed PMDC to issue a public notice in this regard through its official website and social media platforms.   The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination briefed the Committee on the grievances of holders of degrees in Microbiology, Biotechnology and Biochemistry regarding exclusion and non-recognition of their qualifications under the Allied Health Professionals Council Act, 2022. It was further informed that a Committee constituted by the Council had proposed that degree holders in the concerned disciplines undergo an additional one-year study program due to deficiencies in their existing curricula. The Senate Health Committee rejected the proposal to extend the duration of study by one year for individuals who had already obtained degrees in the concerned fields.   Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri expressed serious concern over the failure of the Ministry and PIMS to register an FIR against those responsible for the fire incident in the children’s ward at PIMS. Ministry officials informed the Committee that a letter had been written to the Ministry of Interior requesting registration of an FIR against the incident. The Committee observed that the PIMS administration & Ministry of Health itself should lodge the FIR with the concerned police station instead of requesting the Ministry of Interior to do so.   Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan questioned whether DNA tests of the burnt babies and their parents had been conducted before handing over the dead bodies. PIMS authorities informed the Committee that the 14 bodies had been handed over to their respective parents and that the children were identified through identification bands. The Committee expressed serious concern over the claim that identification bands and written names remained intact despite the bodies having been burnt. Taking serious notice of the alleged negligence, the Committee directed that an FIR be registered against the responsible officers and recommended that the names of the concerned officers be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), in accordance with law.   The Committee also adopted the report of its Sub-Committee regarding the MDCAT examination. Senator Anusha Rehman showed serious resentment over the PMDC performance over the past. She mentioned that PMDC is acting acting beyond their jurisdiction & without the formal approval from the Federal ministry they are issuing notices & communication with each other on Email rather than physical meetings. However, they should submit their recommendation to the federal ministry to get the approval first.    The meeting concluded with the agreement to have another meeting tomorrow in which PMDC will present the policy, preparedness, planning & co ordination for the MD CAT Examination to the committee.