The Sindh High Court has reserved its decision on a petition seeking an independent inquiry into a tragic HIV outbreak at medical facilities run by the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution, according to reports by Dawn. Presided over by a two-judge bench headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, the court heard arguments on Tuesday amid courtroom protests and severe administrative scrutiny, with an order expected on Wednesday.
Courtroom Proceedings and Public Uproar
Tuesday’s hearing deteriorated into chaos as grieving families and the petitioner voiced strong frustration over state inaction, according to Dawn. The petitioner argued against disposing of the case, stating that state respondents had failed to submit complete written responses. Protesting the shortcomings of Pakistan’s public healthcare system, bereaved mothers raised slogans directly inside the courtroom.
The proceedings ultimately collapsed in disorder as family members wept, screamed, and chanted slogans regarding the plight of their children. This intense reaction forced the judges to abandon the courtroom and retreat to their chambers, according to Dawn. During the session, the bench advised the petitioner to maintain judicial decorum rather than resort to courtroom politics, noting that a case would be registered if cognisable offences emerged during investigations.
Systemic Lapses and Human Cost
Advocate Tariq Mansoor originally moved the Sindh High Court in May, naming several high-ranking officials and authorities as respondents, including the Sindh chief secretary, secretary health, SESSI, the hospital medical superintendent, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, the Sindh inspector general of police, and the Sindh Child Protection Authority. The petition highlights severe systemic lapses, seeking an impartial inquiry, the registration of a criminal case, lifelong medical care, and appropriate financial relief for affected children.
Detailing the human cost of state apathy, the petitioner stated during the proceedings that approximately 120 children have tested HIV positive so far, with nine young victims dying while the petition remained pending, as reported by Dawn. The petitioner also alleged that crucial inquiry findings were deliberately withheld from the court and accused Shazia Altaf of concealing facts from the investigative committee. Highlighting the dire situation at the medical facility, mothers of the victims reported to the bench that multiple severely ill children—four to five at a time—shared a single bed while medical syringes were used repeatedly. A distressed woman added that authorities have failed to disburse even a single penny of compensation to struggling families.
Official Responses and Legal Defenses
Defending the hospital administration, the counsel for SESSI told the court that 37 officers, including Shazia Altaf, had been suspended and issued show-cause notices. The counsel also stated that funds had been located for treatment and rehabilitation and that a special ward had been established at Aga Khan Hospital to handle the victims. Additionally, an auxiliary lawyer claimed statutory regulations governing disposable syringes exist and that action will follow once accountability is fixed. Nonetheless, the provincial law officer pushed to dispose of the petition entirely, arguing that compliance reports had been submitted and asserting that a criminal case could not be lodged until responsible officials were formally identified.
