ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the suspension of eight officials following an investigation into the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad that claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies.
Sharif also directed that departmental and criminal proceedings be initiated against those found responsible for negligence in connection with the tragedy.
The orders came after an investigative committee, headed by retired senior civil servant Shahid Khan, presented its interim findings on the fire that broke out in a third-floor nursery at the hospital.
Nursery Lacked Fire Safety Systems
According to the interim inquiry, the nursery did not have a fire alarm or sprinkler system.
Investigators also found that the hospital lacked adequate procedures and training for dealing with fires and other emergencies.
The fire reportedly spread rapidly through the nursery, where 15 newborns were being cared for. Hospital staff managed to rescue only one baby.
The findings have intensified public anger, with grieving families and civil society groups demanding accountability for the deaths.
Prime Minister Sharif said those responsible for criminal negligence should not be given leniency.
Eight Officials Suspended
The officials facing action include PIMS Executive Director, two Joint Executive Directors, the head of the neonatal department, two other doctors, the hospital’s Assistant Director for Security and the head of the Capital Development Authority’s emergency services.
The government has also approved action against the private company responsible for hospital security and its officials.
Sharif had earlier dismissed Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri, the highest-ranking civil servant in the Health Ministry, following the tragedy.
Delayed Emergency Response
The inquiry identified serious shortcomings in the hospital’s emergency response.
According to the interim report, supervisory staff were not present when the fire began. At the time, two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer were inside the ward.
Emergency services were reportedly contacted six minutes after the fire started, while the first emergency responders arrived around 15 minutes after receiving the call.
Investigators also found that only two sections of the hospital’s 13 standard operating procedures addressed fires or other emergencies.
Nurse Honoured for Saving Baby
The investigation also highlighted the actions of a nurse who risked her life to save one of the newborns as the flames spread through the nursery.
Prime Minister Sharif approved a recommendation to honour the nurse with the Sitara-i-Khidmat, a state award recognising public service.
The government has also announced compensation of 5 million Pakistani rupees for each bereaved family.
Nationwide Fire Safety Review
The deaths have triggered wider scrutiny of fire-safety arrangements at hospitals across Pakistan.
Punjab authorities have ordered an immediate review of fire-safety systems, firefighting equipment and emergency-response facilities at hospitals across the province.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over whether hospitals have adequate fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency procedures, trained personnel and rapid-response capabilities to protect vulnerable patients.
The Islamabad hospital fire is among Pakistan’s deadliest recent incidents involving children and has placed renewed pressure on authorities to strengthen safety standards and ensure accountability when serious failures occur.
