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KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has directed the provincial government to establish an independent committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reported spread of HIV among children treated at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and comprising Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza, issued the directions while announcing its reserved judgment on a petition seeking an impartial investigation, medical treatment and compensation for affected children. The court noted that the departmental inquiries and reports submitted so far were not sufficient to establish the actual number of affected patients, determine how the virus was transmitted or assess whether proper infection-control procedures were followed. According to figures presented by the Sindh government, 78 children were identified as HIV-positive at the hospital, while screening in the surrounding area detected another 120 cases. However, the petitioner claimed that the number of infected children could be around 200. The court ordered the Sindh chief secretary to head the inquiry committee and include two senior government officers of at least BS-20 rank. The officers should preferably have no direct administrative connection with the hospital or the investigations already conducted. The committee has been directed to establish the exact number and identities of HIV-positive children and other patients who were treated at the hospital during the relevant period. It will also investigate the possible source and method of HIV transmission on the basis of medical and scientific evidence. The committee will examine whether disposable syringes or other medical equipment were reused, improperly discarded or inadequately sterilised in violation of medical standards and applicable laws. It will also review the hospital’s infection-prevention arrangements, including the procurement, storage and use of auto-lock, auto-destruct and auto-break syringes. The roles of doctors, nurses, technical staff, administrative officials and supervisors will also come under scrutiny. The committee will determine whether any official failed to fulfil a legal, administrative or supervisory responsibility. The inquiry will further assess ongoing departmental proceedings against 37 officials and determine whether those proceedings adequately address individual responsibility. Officials will also examine whether the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010, or any other relevant law was violated and identify those responsible if evidence establishes wrongdoing. The committee has been authorised to examine medical and laboratory reports, screening records, procurement and stock registers, syringe records, duty rosters, infection-control reports, inspection documents, departmental inquiry material and relevant CCTV footage. The inquiry must provide an opportunity for a fair hearing to anyone against whom adverse findings are proposed. The committee has been directed to submit its report to the competent authority and the high court within two months of its formation. The court also directed the Sindh chief secretary to ensure that all affected HIV-positive children and other identified patients receive uninterrupted medical care while the inquiry continues. The treatment must include medicines, diagnostic tests, counselling and follow-up care and must be provided completely free of cost. The government and SESSI will bear all expenses, and no costs are to be recovered from affected children or their families. Treatment should continue for as long as medically necessary. Given the vulnerability of the children, the court also ordered authorities to determine whether affected families are entitled to compensation, financial assistance or other relief under the relevant laws and government policies. The court stressed that no affected child or family should face discrimination, stigma or denial of lawful assistance because of HIV status. It further ordered authorities to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the children’s identities and medical records. The Sindh chief secretary and health department secretary were directed to take immediate corrective and preventive measures at the hospital to prevent further avoidable risks to patients. Authorities were also ordered to ensure strict compliance with infection-control procedures and the law governing disposable syringes. The court said the case involved fundamental rights, including the rights to life, health, dignity and fair treatment. It observed that the matter could not be treated merely as an administrative issue because the state has a constitutional responsibility to protect life and ensure proper public health and medical safety. At the same time, the court cautioned that allegations or departmental proceedings alone cannot establish the guilt of individual officials. Responsibility must be determined through evidence and after providing the concerned persons an opportunity to defend themselves. The court also took notice of an incident involving the petitioner, Advocate Tariq Mansoor, during proceedings. According to the order, Mansoor allegedly raised his voice and encouraged people accompanying him, while some individuals reportedly recorded videos inside the courtroom. The court said the incident disrupted proceedings and affected the dignity and decorum of the courtroom. It also noted that the situation was serious enough for the bench to retire to chambers before completing the order. The court issued a show-cause notice to Mansoor, asking why contempt and criminal proceedings should not be initiated against him. Court security officials were also directed to explain an alleged security lapse that allowed a group of people to enter the courtroom and disrupt proceedings. The Sindh High Court Bar Association and Sindh Bar Council were asked to intervene and take appropriate measures regarding the alleged misconduct.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab has launched a major crackdown against networks allegedly involved in online financial fraud, identity theft and social media scams, arresting 14 suspects in Lahore and Multan. The operation was carried out under the direction and supervision of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem. Officials said the suspects allegedly defrauded citizens of millions of rupees through various online schemes. In Lahore, the NCCIA arrested four suspects in three separate cases. They were identified as Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Ashfaq, Muhammad Qamar and Ameer Karim. According to initial investigations, the suspects allegedly posed as marriage bureau representatives or close friends to gain victims’ trust. They then allegedly deceived citizens into transferring money. Investigators recovered mobile phones from the suspects and found evidence indicating that victims had been defrauded of significant amounts. In Multan, the NCCIA carried out three separate operations and arrested 10 suspects. They were identified as Muhammad Asghar, Amir Shehzad, Muhammad Kamran, Rizwan Talib, Saqib Ali, Kamran Talib, Iftikhar Manzoor, Muhammad Adnan, Muhammad Sultan and Muhammad Naeem. Investigators said the suspects allegedly used social media platforms and WhatsApp to impersonate officials from customs, police, banks and other government institutions. The suspects allegedly contacted citizens using false claims involving prizes, gifts, donations, bank verification and parcel clearance. They then demanded money from victims under various pretexts. Investigators uncovered one case in which a victim was allegedly defrauded of Rs1 million, while another involved the alleged theft of Rs588,000. The NCCIA said several mobile phones, SIM cards, fake WhatsApp accounts, social media profiles and other digital evidence were recovered during the operations. The seized devices and accounts are being subjected to forensic analysis. Cases have been registered against all 14 suspects under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, as amended in 2025, along with applicable sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

A 45-year-old woman was found dead inside an apartment in Rawalpindi’s Lalkurti area, with her hands tied behind her back and a wire around her neck. The woman, identified as Hina Javed, was discovered in the bathroom of a second-floor apartment at Askari Apartments on Thursday morning. According to the police complaint, the incident came to light after Hina’s father-in-law contacted her brother, Fahad Javed Malik, and informed him that an emergency had occurred at the residence. Malik and other family members then reached the apartment and found Hina dead. The family told police that Hina’s hands had been tied with cloth and that her mouth was gagged. A wire was also found around her neck and connected to the bathroom shower. Police collected evidence from the scene as part of the investigation. Hina’s relatives have accused her husband, Faisal Asghar Imam, his domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad and his father, Asghar Ali Fayyaz, of being involved in the alleged killing. Police have not yet established the responsibility of any suspect, and the allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation. Hina had married Faisal in November 2025. Her brother told police that she had previously complained about domestic violence and alleged that she had faced repeated physical and psychological abuse after her marriage. The family also alleged that Hina’s husband had previously subjected another wife to abuse, which they believe may be relevant to the case. Hina was employed by a semi-government organisation, while her husband had reportedly faced periods of unemployment, according to her family. Police registered a murder case under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Section 302 deals with murder, while Section 34 concerns acts carried out by multiple people with a common intention. The woman’s body was shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police said evidence from the apartment was being examined and efforts were underway to locate the suspects. Civil Lines police said the investigation was continuing and that no arrests had been made at the time of reporting. Authorities said further action would depend on the findings of the investigation and forensic examination. The complainant also alleged that Hina had faced severe physical violence and torture during her marriage. He further claimed that her husband had allegedly abused his previous wife, who later obtained a divorce. Police registered the case at Civil Lines police station under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The provisions relate to murder and acts allegedly committed by several people with a common intention. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Hina’s death. Police are expected to rely on forensic evidence, the post-mortem examination and statements from family members and other witnesses to determine the actual cause of death and establish responsibility. The case has once again highlighted concerns over violence against women and domestic abuse in Pakistan. Rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger protection mechanisms and timely action when women report threats or violence within their homes.