The Sindh High Court has directed the provincial government to form an independent committee to investigate an HIV outbreak among children at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades heard concluding remarks from the government, with the tragedy being attributed to multiple layers of human failure.

An independent committee probing last November's deadly Tai Po fire has decided against converting into a commission of inquiry with statutory powers to summon witnesses, according to its chairperson.

The Pakistani Senate saw a heated debate over the health and treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan and the conditions of political prisoners, with opposition members demanding an independent committee visit jails.

An independent committee in Hong Kong is scrutinizing the roles of building repair works and calling for higher qualifications and supervision following the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in decades in Tai Po heard an official describe the act of switching off the fire system power as an 'elementary mistake'.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest inferno in decades, the Tai Po fire, has reported making "good progress" in its inquiry into the cause of the incident.

An independent committee is holding hearings into a fire that killed 168 people at a Hong Kong housing estate, with residents expected to testify on the third day.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades has identified 14 members of Wang Fuk Court's former owners' corporation management group and seven residents as 'involved parties' who will give evidence at its hearings.

Study by independent committee announced as concerns grow that immigration crackdown will hit fiscal plans

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has upheld the revocation of mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited. This decision follows the submission of the final report by an Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with reviewing the matter.

An expert stated that the Wang Fuk Court blaze was not unprecedented in kind, only in magnitude, as an independent committee continues to hear testimony.

South Korea's justice ministry has established an independent committee to investigate alleged human rights violations and abuses of authority by prosecutors during questioning and indictment procedures.

The Icelandic Prime Minister suggests that public officials' duty to inform should take precedence over confidentiality during an independent committee's investigation into conditions at children's residential homes, following recent discussions on the matter.

An independent committee is examining the causes of Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades, which claimed 168 lives in Tai Po. A firefighter testified that knowledge of defects could have aided the response.

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. An independent committee examining the causes of Hong Kong’s…

The independent committee investigating the fatal Tai Po fire in Hong Kong has called on the public to submit information regarding suspected corruption in large-scale building maintenance projects.

An independent committee investigating a massive high-rise residential fire in Hong Kong that killed 168 people has indicated that the likely cause was improper disposal of cigarettes.

The National Sports Council (NSC) has formed an independent committee to investigate the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections.

An independent investigative committee will be established to review adult psychiatric care in Budapest, following a crisis where 15 specialists resigned from Nyírő OPAI within two years.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadly Tai Po fire has recommended that authorities gradually replace bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives, alongside other legislative and practical proposals.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades has decided against seeking statutory powers to compel witness testimony, leading to fears among survivors that key figures may evade scrutiny.

Residents of Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong are seeking compensation for losses from a recent deadly fire, with experts stating that the success of their insurance claims will depend significantly on the findings of an independent committee investigating the disaster.

Singapore's government has decided to defer the recommendations from an independent committee's review of the political salary framework, submitted in April, until the impact of the Middle East conflict becomes clearer.

An independent committee investigating the deadly Tai Po fire has held 10 hearing sessions, with testimonies from residents and employees of firms responsible for fire safety and building management.

The independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, the Tai Po inferno, concluded its first round of hearings, highlighting human and systemic errors.

A public inquiry into the deadly Tai Po fire at Wang Fuk Court has heard that a fire safety contractor was aware the alarm system had been disabled days before the tragedy, with no action taken to reactivate it. Residents are now allowed additional trips to retrieve belongings as an independent committee continues its analysis.

Independent committee to investigate safety standards and whether building practices contributed to worst residential fires in decades How the Hong Kong fire unfolded – visual guide Public hearings…

Autism researchers and leaders of the autism advocacy movement announced Tuesday that they will establish a new independent committee to help set...

(LEFT) PHF President Tariq Hussain Bugti announces his resignation; while, PCB Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi meets players from the national team.—Dawn • PM accepts Tariq Bugti’s resignation, Wani named interim president • Outgoing chief imposes two-year ban on captain Ammad Butt before quitting • PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi meets players, hands ‘compensation’ cheques • PSB blames PHF for mismanagement; Bugti alleges board delayed payments • Shake-up follows Australia tour fiasco, when players were left without hotel upon arrival LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: Amid a deepening crisis in Pakistan hockey, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday accepted the resignation of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Hussain Bugti and appointed Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Federal Secretary Mohiy­uddin Ahmed Wani as ad-hoc president of the federation. The premier also accepted the resignations of PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid and Treasurer Shahid Pervaiz Bhandara. Their replacements had not been announced until late Thursday night. The developments came amid controversy over the national team’s tour of Australia for the FIH Pro League, where accommodation arrangements could not be secured on time, forcing players to spend several hours on the road. The team’s overall performance in the Pro League also came under criticism. In addition, PHF elections had been facing delays. Mr Bugti had been appointed by interim prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to hold elections but did not complete the process during his tenure. Similarly, in his tenure, Mr Bugti-led PHF was accused of inaction over alleged corruption, pointed out by the Auditor General of Pakistan. There are more than 100 audit paras related to the PHF, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been probing the matter for over a year. Speaking after his appointment, Mr Wani said the governance mechanism of the PHF would be improved. “In the next six weeks, we will prepare a business plan for the PHF and take steps to run this federation on professional grounds,” he said. He added that IPC would form a working group with all sports boards and education bodies to focus on grassroots development and that international trainers and coaches would also be engaged. “There is no shortage of resources, but the PHF is facing financial management issues. We will work on this,” he said, adding that he would ensure free, fair and transparent elections. “Hockey, being the national game, is close to our hearts and we will take every possible step to bring positive change,” he said. National captain ‘banned’ Earlier on Thursday, before the prime minister’s decision, Mr Bugti announced his resignation, but not before imposing a two-year ban on national captain Ammad Shakeel Butt, citing findings of a committee regarding alleged misconduct. “I received a message (from a certain quarter) and I am resigning from the post as it is not a big issue. Had the prime minister asked me six months earlier, I would have left,” Mr Bugti said, appealing to the prime minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir to constitute an independent committee to probe the entire episode. He said he was ready to face any punishment if found responsible. However, shortly after Mr Bugti’s resignation, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi met the hockey players, including Ammad Butt and Hanan Shahid. In a message on X, Mr Naqvi said: “I am not becoming Hockey Federation President but we will assist players till this turmoil ends.” Talking to the media after the meeting, Mr Butt said Mr Naqvi directed that a training camp be set up in Lahore from Friday for the World Cup qualifiers to be held in Egypt and that immediate steps be taken to hire foreign coaches. Mr Butt said former Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans had been contacted and might join the team directly in Egypt. On the reported two-year ban, Mr Butt said Mr Naqvi told him there was no ban and that the same team which toured Australia would travel to Egypt. The ban had reportedly been imposed under the PHF constitution, raising questions over the process for its reversal. The PCB later issued a statement confirming Mr Naqvi’s meeting with the players and announcing that cheques of Rs1,000,000 had been distributed to each member of the national team, which took second position in the last six international tournaments. The cricket board said Mr Naqvi had assured full cooperation in streamlining the affairs of the players and confirmed that tickets, hotel accommodation and kits would be arranged for the World Cup qualifying round. Outgoing PHF president Mr Bugti told Dawn that arrangements for the qualifiers had already been made through a grant from the Balochistan government. PSB-PHF blame game Meanwhile, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) issued a statement rejecting allegations levelled by the PHF and placing responsibility for the Australia tour’s mismanagement on the federation. The PSB said it had fulfilled all financial obligations for the FIH Pro League Phase 2 in Hobart and made timely payments. It alleged that the PHF had submitted visa applications late and with incomplete information, delaying the team’s departure from Feb 2 to Feb 5. According to the PSB, it bore Rs27.1 million in air ticket expenses and an additional Rs9.7m burden caused by the visa delays. It said that, at the PHF’s request, an advance of 49,280 Australian dollars was issued for hotel accommodation, along with daily allowances of USD 1,610 per player and USD 3,000 for miscellaneous expenses. The PSB also stated that while the PHF had sought a total grant of Rs350m for the Pro League, the government approved Rs250m, with the remaining amount to be arranged by the federation. It alleged that most of the PSB’s grant had been spent on salaries and foreign tours of PHF officials, prompting the board to stop issuing direct grants. In contrast, Mr Bugti had alleged that the PSB failed to make timely payments for hotel bookings and criticised the formation of a probe committee comprising PSB officials. He also urged the formation of a Pakistan Hockey Board and the transfer of stadium control to the PHF to generate funds. Meanwhile, Hockey legend Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, who had opposed Pakistan’s participation in the Pro League, said the national game deserved special treatment from the government. He criticised the heavy expenditure on the league and said the funds should have been directed towards grassroots development in schools, colleges and districts. Pakistan, a four-time World Cup winner and three-time Olympic champion, has faced a prolonged decline in international hockey over the past 30 years, amid repeated allegations of poor administration and negligence in the PHF officialdom, non-existent planning and upgrading, sheer lack of accountability, nepotism and a high frequency of changes in the federation. Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026