Karachi's Sindh High Court has put off its decision on a plea demanding an independent investigation into the HIV outbreak at hospitals run by the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution. The courtroom turned tense as petitioners and families of affected children raised slogans, forcing the bench to retreat to chambers. Main Developments Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, leading a two-judge bench, reserved the order on Tuesday after hearing arguments from both sides. The decision is expected to be announced on Wednesday, though the bench did not specify a definite time. Advocate Tariq Mansoor, who filed the petition in May, insisted the court could not dispose of the case because respondents had not submitted complete replies. He claimed around 120 children have tested HIV positive so far, with nine deaths occurring during the petition's pendency. Read also: Deadly rains and floods hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts Families of affected children alleged that four to five children shared a single bed at Valika Hospital and that syringes were reused multiple times. A woman also stated that no compensation has been paid to any family so far. Background The petition names the Sindh chief secretary, health secretary, SESSI, the hospital's medical superintendent, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, the provincial police chief, and the Sindh Child Protection Authority as respondents. It seeks an independent inquiry, registration of a case, lifelong treatment, and compensation for affected children. Dr Shazia Altaf, a doctor at Valika Hospital, is accused of concealing facts from the inquiry committee. SESSI's counsel stated that 37 hospital officers, including Dr Shazia, have been suspended and issued show-cause notices, while funds have been allocated for treatment and rehabilitation. A special ward has been set up at Agha Khan Hospital for the children's treatment. The provincial law officer argued that a law regulating disposable syringes already exists and that action will be taken against accountable officials once identified. Why It Matters The outbreak has exposed systemic failures in healthcare safety, including syringe reuse and overcrowding. The court's ruling could set a precedent for accountability in public health institutions, affecting how similar cases are handled nationwide. Families are demanding not just medical care, but also financial compensation and legal action. The government's response—including suspensions and a new ward—may be seen as insufficient without a transparent inquiry and prosecution of those responsible. What's Next The SHC is expected to announce its verdict on the plea for an independent probe on Wednesday. The petitioner has been advised to maintain judicial decorum and avoid politicising the matter. If the court orders an independent inquiry, it could accelerate the registration of a criminal case against responsible officials. Meanwhile, affected families continue to await compensation and assurances of proper treatment for the children.