Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has demanded strict action against those responsible for the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
The fire broke out at around 6:45am on Wednesday, August 26, in the Mother and Child Health Ward at PIMS. The blaze killed 14 newborn babies, while doctors rescued one baby from the nursery. PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil said 15 babies were in the ward when the fire started.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said an air-conditioning unit triggered the fire. He said the presence of oxygen equipment intensified the blaze. Authorities, however, continue to investigate the exact cause of the incident.
Nawaz Sharif Expresses Grief Over PIMS Fire
Nawaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the newborn babies and offered condolences to their grieving families.
In a message shared on social media, the PML-N president said he felt deeply saddened by the loss of the innocent children. He expressed solidarity with the parents and prayed for patience and strength for the bereaved families.
Nawaz Sharif urged the government to conduct a thorough investigation and identify those responsible for the tragedy.
He also called for strict action against anyone found negligent during the investigation.
The former prime minister further urged authorities to strengthen safety arrangements at hospitals and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Shehbaz Sharif Orders High-Level Inquiry
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took immediate notice of the PIMS fire and ordered an investigation into the tragedy.
The prime minister also suspended Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri following the incident.
The government formed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine responsibility.
The Islamabad district administration also formed a fact-finding committee. The committee will examine the cause of the fire, assess fire-safety arrangements at the hospital and review the rescue operation. Authorities have given the committee 24 hours to submit its report.
Authorities Investigate Cause of Fire
Initial reports point to a fault or blast involving the nursery’s air-conditioning system. Officials have not yet issued a final report confirming the exact cause.
The investigation will also examine the hospital’s emergency procedures and fire-safety arrangements.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about safety standards at public hospitals, particularly in areas that care for newborns and other vulnerable patients.
Authorities now face pressure to establish responsibility and take action if investigators find negligence or safety failures.
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