ISLAMABAD: An Additional District and Sessions Judge on Thursday sought arguments from the parties in a petition seeking the release of a newborn baby allegedly withheld at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), while directing authorities to place relevant reports on record.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich resumed hearing a petition filed by Nasreen Bibi, the grandmother of the newborn, who alleged that despite the completion of all legal formalities, the baby had not been handed over to the mother following delivery at Pims.

According to the petition, Mehnaz Bibi gave birth to the child at the hospital, but the hospital’s Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department unlawfully ‘detained’ the newborn after birth.

The petitioner further alleged that the head nurse demanded Rs500,000 from the family in exchange for handing over the baby. It was claimed that the nurse told the family that unless the amount was paid, the newborn would not be released to the mother. The petition also alleged that the family was threatened that the child could be handed over to unknown persons if the demand was not met. The petitioner requested the court to direct the hospital administration to immediately hand over the newborn to the mother, arguing that the continued retention of the child was illegal and without lawful justification.

During the proceedings, the court directed the Pims administration to submit a report explaining the circumstances surrounding the case. The judge also ordered the federal police to visit the hospital, examine the matter and submit an independent report before the court.

After a short break in the proceedings, counsel informed the court that the Pims administration had submitted its report.

The contents of the report were not discussed in open court.

The judge then sought arguments from both sides on the matter and adjourned further hearing until Friday.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2026