ISLAMABAD (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the suspension of eight officials of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and directed the initiation of criminal proceedings against those held responsible for the tragic fire that claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies at the hospital’s Mother and Child Healthcare Centre.
The decision was taken after an interim report of the high-level inquiry committee was presented to the prime minister during a meeting in Lahore. The committee was constituted to determine the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident and identify administrative, safety and operational failures.
Those named for action include Pims Executive Director Prof Dr Imran Sikandar, Head of Neonatology Prof Dr Sadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr Nagham, Joint Executive Director MCH Dr Mutahir Shah, Joint Executive Director (Non-Medical) Chaudhry Waris Ali Raza, Director MCH Dr Nosheela Amjad, CDA Director General CES Dr Abdul Rehman and Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman.
The prime minister directed that the officials face both departmental action and criminal proceedings under the relevant laws. He also approved action against the private security company responsible for security arrangements at Pims and its officials.
The inquiry committee’s interim findings said the exact source of ignition had not yet been conclusively established. The committee noted that forensic, technical and documentary examinations were still required to determine precisely how the fire started and to establish individual responsibility.
However, the report stressed that uncertainty over the initial spark should not prevent authorities from examining the safety failures that allegedly allowed the incident to escalate into a mass-casualty tragedy.
CCTV Reconstruction of Fire
The committee reconstructed the incident through CCTV footage, describing it as the most objective available record of the sequence of events.
According to the footage, the first visible sign of an emergency appeared at approximately 6:38:15am, when charge nurse Nasreen rushed out of the nursery seeking assistance. Around 20 seconds later, she and security guard Maria entered the nursery, with flames visible in the footage.
Staff nurse Razia Noreen entered the nursery at about 6:38:56am and emerged just eight seconds later carrying a newborn, thereby saving the child. She subsequently attempted to re-enter the nursery.
Hospital officials said 15 newborns were present in the ward when the fire broke out and one was rescued.
Serious Fire-Safety Gaps Highlighted
The interim report identified several serious deficiencies in the hospital’s fire and emergency preparedness.
The committee recommended an immediate hospital-wide fire, life-safety and electrical audit, beginning with high-risk areas including the neonatal nursery, intensive care units and operating theatres.
It called for physical inspection and testing of smoke and heat detectors, fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants, emergency lighting, electrical protection systems and designated emergency exits.
The committee also recommended urgent inspection of incubators, warmers, air-conditioning systems, IVAC installations, electrical sockets, plugs, distribution boards, circuit breakers and earthing systems in high-risk clinical areas.
Where automatic fire detection or protection systems were deficient, the report recommended temporary fire-watch arrangements.
The committee further called for practical fire and neonatal evacuation drills involving doctors, nurses, security personnel and engineering staff.
Emergency Response System to Be Strengthened
The inquiry recommended establishment of a clear and tested emergency notification and incident-command system at Pims.
Under the proposed mechanism, detection of a fire should immediately trigger an internal alarm, mobilisation of designated emergency responders and direct notification of the relevant emergency services, including CES/Rescue 1122.
The committee said responsibility for every stage of the emergency response should be assigned to a clearly designated officer and the system should be tested regularly.
It also recommended that every safety deficiency identified in previous inspections and inquiries be entered into a time-bound compliance mechanism, with a responsible officer, deadline and independent verification of corrective action.
Previous Fire Also Reported
The inquiry was informed that a fire had broken out at the Pims nursing hostel in July, about a month before the deadly nursery fire, but no significant safety measures were reportedly implemented afterwards.
The committee also noted that Pims did not have an officer specifically responsible for dealing with fires and other emergencies. An assistant director had been given the additional responsibility.
The meeting was further briefed about the hospital’s deteriorating physical condition and management issues.
Nurse Razia to Receive Sitara-i-Khidmat
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the Sitara-i-Khidmat and a cash award of Rs1 million for nurse Razia Noreen in recognition of her courage in rescuing a newborn during the fire.
The prime minister praised her for risking her own life to save the child and described her actions as an exceptional example of responsibility and humanity.
New Pims Executive Director Appointed
The prime minister also directed that National Institutes of Health Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammad Salman be appointed acting Executive Director of Pims. New officials will be appointed to replace those removed from their positions.
He further ordered the immediate publication of the inquiry committee’s preliminary report and directed the committee to complete its comprehensive investigation.
PM Shehbaz said those responsible for criminal negligence would receive no leniency and would be brought to justice. He stressed that exemplary punishment was necessary to prevent another tragedy in which mothers lose their children because of negligence or failure to maintain safety standards.
Calls for Wider Investigation
The Pims tragedy has triggered widespread concern and calls for accountability. The Senate has unanimously sought a special committee to investigate the incident, while the National Assembly has also called for an impartial inquiry and strict action over negligence and safety lapses.
Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has also backed a broader investigation, saying the tragedy should become a basis for fundamental reforms in the country’s health sector.
The government has announced Rs5 million compensation for each affected family.
The tragedy has consequently raised serious questions about fire safety, emergency preparedness, hospital management and enforcement of safety regulations at major public healthcare facilities.
Earlier,
Key Findings Point to Administrative Lapses and Safety Failures
The inquiry report into the PIMS fire tragedy has been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, sources say.
Former bureaucrat Shahid Khan, who headed the inquiry committee, met the Prime Minister and briefed him on the key contours of the interim report.
According to sources, the inquiry committee prepared its report after examining available evidence, official records and statements of relevant officers and officials.
A key question examined by the committee was whether the PIMS tragedy was merely an accident or whether administrative negligence and failure to ensure safety measures also contributed to the incident.
The committee recorded statements from several relevant officers and officials, while video footage was also included among the evidence provided to the inquiry panel.
Sources say a few seconds of video footage from the time of the incident were also made part of the proceedings. The footage reportedly captures the moments of the blast.
Statements, video evidence, official records and other available material were examined to determine responsibility.
The inquiry also reviewed administrative lapses, safety arrangements, compliance with standard operating procedures and the response of the relevant staff at the time of the incident.
Sources say the committee examined why prescribed safety measures for the protection of children could not be implemented and whether the relevant staff fulfilled their responsibilities at the time of the incident.
The administrative capacity of the Executive Director of PIMS and the internal administrative conditions of the hospital were also examined.
According to sources, the report also points to instances where recommendations aimed at improving the hospital had not been implemented.
The report has highlighted the impact of administrative shortcomings and expressed concern over the deteriorating administrative conditions at the hospital.
Sources say the committee has called for strict action against mismanagement at PIMS and has also held the head of PIMS responsible for administrative negligence.
The role of staff members who were absent from duty was also examined. According to sources, the absence of relevant staff has been treated as a serious lapse amounting to negligence.
The report also refers to construction-related defects in the affected block of the hospital and the evidence available in this regard.
Sources say the inquiry committee has recommended action against those responsible, while a final decision on proceedings is expected to be taken in light of the report and the available evidence.
Government sources maintain that the inquiry committee was allowed to conduct a transparent investigation without pressure and that no individual would be held responsible merely on the basis of allegations or pressure.
The Prime Minister is now expected to review the report and decide the future course of action, including proceedings against those found responsible.
