The growing number of deaths, abuse cases and preventable accidents involving children exposes serious weaknesses in the country’s healthcare system, public safety standards and institutional accountability.
People across Pakistan are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety and security of their children as heartbreaking incidents involving infants and young people continue to emerge from different parts of the country. Almost every few weeks, reports surface about children losing their lives because of negligence, inadequate safety arrangements, poor infrastructure, abuse or the failure of the authorities concerned to perform their duties. These incidents have created a disturbing sense of insecurity among parents, who are increasingly worried about whether their children are safe even in places where they should be protected.
What makes these tragedies even more painful is the familiar response that follows almost every incident. Government officials express condolences, announce inquiries, promise action and sometimes order the suspension of the officials concerned. However, once public attention begins to fade, the matter often disappears from the headlines, while the underlying problems remain unresolved. There is little evidence of lasting institutional reforms or effective measures to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.
The reported deaths of 14 infants in a fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad last month have once again exposed serious questions about safety arrangements in government hospitals. Instead of immediately accepting responsibility and providing a transparent explanation of what happened, the hospital administration and the federal government have reportedly been blaming one another. Some reports suggest that a fault in the hospital’s air-conditioning system may have caused the fire. Whatever the actual cause, the incident raises an extremely disturbing question: how could such a tragedy occur in a major government hospital where the lives of newborn babies should receive the highest level of protection?
Hospitals are supposed to be places of safety, treatment and recovery, particularly for newborns and critically ill patients who cannot protect themselves. They must have functioning fire alarms, emergency exits, firefighting equipment, trained staff and properly maintained electrical and air-conditioning systems. These arrangements are not optional facilities but essential safety requirements. If a hospital fails to maintain them, the consequences can be devastating. The PIMS tragedy should therefore lead to a comprehensive examination of safety standards in public and private hospitals throughout the country.
Unfortunately, the danger to children is not confined to healthcare facilities. They remain vulnerable to sexual violence, physical abuse, unsafe buildings and other forms of negligence. On August 5, 2026, an 18-month-old girl, Aizal, was reportedly raped and killed in Pakistan. Such incidents are particularly disturbing because they involve children who are entirely dependent on adults for their protection and security.
According to Sahil, 3,660 cases of child abuse, including sexual abuse, rape and murder following sexual abuse, were reported in 2025. Punjab, in particular, continues to record a considerably higher number of such cases than other provinces. These figures are deeply alarming, although the reported cases may represent only part of the actual problem, as many incidents of child abuse remain unreported because of social pressure, fear, stigma or a lack of confidence in law enforcement agencies.
Another heartbreaking incident occurred on June 30, 2026, when 14 children reportedly lost their lives after the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed. These children had gone there to study and improve their educational prospects. Their parents had entrusted them to an institution where they believed they would be safe. Instead, the children never returned home. This tragedy raises serious questions about building inspections, the enforcement of construction standards and the responsibility of authorities to ensure that educational institutions provide safe environments.
These incidents are not isolated examples of misfortune. They point towards broader institutional weaknesses, including inadequate inspections, poor maintenance, weak enforcement of safety regulations and a lack of accountability. Whether a child dies in a hospital fire, a building collapse, an electrical accident or an incident of abuse, the authorities must establish whether the tragedy could have been prevented and who was responsible for the failure.
The most troubling aspect of the government’s response is that accountability frequently ends with announcements. An inquiry committee is formed, an official is suspended or transferred, and compensation may be announced for the affected families. But is this enough to address the loss of an innocent life? A suspension or transfer cannot substitute for a proper investigation, nor can financial compensation bring back a child.
Where evidence establishes that an individual or institution failed to fulfil its legal responsibilities and that negligence contributed to a child’s death, the matter should proceed through the appropriate legal channels. Those found responsible must face consequences in accordance with the law, regardless of their position or influence. Investigations should be independent, transparent and completed within a reasonable timeframe. Their findings should also be made public so that families and citizens can understand what went wrong and what action has been taken.
The scale of infant mortality in Pakistan makes the situation even more distressing. According to figures attributed to the World Health Organization, approximately 246,300 babies die every year in the country. This enormous number highlights the continuing challenges surrounding maternal healthcare, newborn care, access to medical facilities and the quality of health services. Many infant deaths are associated with preventable complications and shortcomings in healthcare delivery. Improving antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services, neonatal facilities and access to trained medical professionals must therefore become a national priority.
At the same time, protecting children requires much more than improving healthcare facilities. The government must strengthen child protection mechanisms, ensure effective policing, enforce building regulations and conduct regular safety inspections of schools, tuition centres, hospitals and other public places. Every institution dealing with children should have clearly defined safety responsibilities, emergency procedures and trained personnel. Complaints of abuse must be investigated promptly, while children and their families should have access to effective reporting and support mechanisms.
The innocent children who should be growing up, playing with their parents, attending school and dreaming about their futures are instead becoming statistics in official reports and headlines. Behind every reported death is a family whose life has been permanently changed. No amount of compensation can replace a child, and no official statement can ease the suffering of parents who have lost their sons or daughters because of circumstances that might have been prevented.
The purpose of accountability should not merely be to punish someone after a tragedy. It must also be to prevent the next tragedy. Pakistan needs a child safety policy that brings together healthcare institutions, educational authorities, law enforcement agencies and child protection departments under a clearly defined system of responsibility. Regular inspections, enforceable safety standards, reliable data collection and effective monitoring should be essential parts of this approach.
Pakistan cannot afford to treat the death of a child as just another incident that attracts temporary public attention. Every innocent life lost because of negligence, abuse or institutional failure represents a serious question about the country’s priorities and its commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens. The government must move beyond condolences and routine inquiries and demonstrate through concrete action that children’s lives matter. Protecting children is not simply a government responsibility; it is a national obligation that must be fulfilled before more innocent lives are lost.
The writer is an advocate of the High Court. He can be reached at [email protected]