Dissolution of NIRM Sub-Committee Sparks Allegations of Pressure and Cover-Up
Islamabad: The sudden dissolution of a parliamentary sub-committee investigating the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) has triggered accusations of outside interference, cover-up attempts, and an erosion of transparency within the health sector. Lawmakers say they were pressured to halt their probe, igniting concerns over parliamentary oversight and accountability.
The controversy erupted within the Standing Committee on National Health Services. Members Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro and Zehra Wadood Fatemi strongly criticized the decision to disband the sub-committee, describing it as an insult to parliament. The sub-committee, which had only held one meeting and collected several testimonies, was reportedly shut down under the claim of “bias.” Dr. Shazia insisted that the group had yet to finalize its findings and would not report accusations without solid evidence, rejecting allegations of prejudice as a pretext to obstruct the investigation.
Both lawmakers reported facing pressure and harassment following their participation in the inquiry. Zehra Wadood Fatemi disclosed that she received phone calls challenging her role on the panel, while Dr. Shazia claimed that the committee’s dissolution was the result of a targeted campaign to label the investigation biased and protect those involved in wrongdoing at NIRM. The lawmakers called for the probe to be transferred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to ensure an impartial review by an external body.
The committee’s chairman, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, acknowledged the anger and frustration of the members. He publicly apologized, agreeing that the committee’s abrupt disbandment had undermined their efforts. However, he expressed concern that further public debate could damage the institution’s reputation. To address members’ grievances and maintain the integrity of the process, he proposed shifting the discussions to a closed-door session, hoping this would allow more open and constructive deliberation.
This dispute has evolved into a broader struggle between demands for accountability and the perceived power of unaccountable actors. The committee resolved to revisit the issue in a private meeting, underlining that the call for an FIA investigation remains unresolved. For now, the status of the NIRM inquiry is uncertain, but lawmakers warn that any effort to weaken parliamentary oversight will not go unchallenged.
