PIMS Fire: ED Among Eight Officials Suspended
News Desk
Islamabad: The preliminary inquiry into the fatal fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) neonatal ward has revealed serious deficiencies in fire protection, emergency preparedness and hospital administration, leading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order action against eight officials.
The findings were presented during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister, where the investigation committee’s interim report highlighted the absence of essential firefighting equipment, inadequate emergency protocols and shortcomings in staff preparedness.
According to the briefing, the neonatal ward was not equipped with a fire alarm or sprinkler system. Investigators also found that PIMS lacked comprehensive procedures and proper training for dealing with fire and other emergency situations.
Of the hospital’s 13 standard operating procedures (SOPs), only two subsections made reference to fire or emergency response, the committee reported.
The inquiry further found that supervisory personnel were not present in the ward when the incident occurred. At the time, the ward was staffed by two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer.
The fire intensified rapidly and engulfed the ward within approximately two minutes, according to the preliminary findings. Emergency services were alerted six minutes after the blaze began, while the first emergency response reached the hospital 15 minutes after the outbreak.
The committee also determined that fire safety arrangements in the neonatal ward failed to meet relevant World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
Another significant deficiency was the absence of a designated official responsible for responding to emergencies at PIMS. The assistant director had been given responsibility for emergency matters in addition to his regular duties.
The inquiry also drew attention to broader administrative and infrastructure problems at the hospital, including its deteriorating condition and alleged mismanagement.
The committee noted that a fire had previously broken out at the PIMS nursing hostel in July. However, the incident was not followed by adequate corrective measures to improve fire prevention and emergency safety across the hospital.
Following the preliminary findings, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the immediate suspension of eight officials and ordered departmental and criminal proceedings against them.
Those named in the report include PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Waris Ali Shah, Head of the Neonatal Department Professor Dr Sadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr Nagham, Dr Naushila Amjad, Assistant Director Security PIMS Muhammad Usman and Director General CDA Emergency Services Dr Abdul Rehman.
The prime minister also ordered criminal proceedings against the private security company and its officials responsible for security arrangements at the hospital.
He directed that individuals found responsible should face proceedings under both departmental regulations and criminal law, making it clear that negligence resulting in such a tragedy would not be overlooked.
“The death of innocent children is a tragedy that has saddened the entire nation,” the prime minister said while conveying his sympathies to the bereaved families.
He said those responsible would face exemplary punishment so that no parent would again lose a child because of negligence or failure to perform assigned duties.
The prime minister separately commended nurse Razia Noreen for displaying exceptional courage during the emergency and putting her own life at risk to rescue a child before the flames spread throughout the ward.
In recognition of her bravery, Shehbaz Sharif approved Sitara-i-Khidmat and Rs10 million for Razia Noreen, saying her actions reflected a strong sense of duty and humanity.
He also directed that another nurse and the female security guard present in the ward at the time of the incident be made officers on special duty (OSD), while their roles are examined through a further inquiry.
Dr Muhammad Salman, CEO of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was approved as the acting executive director of PIMS. The prime minister instructed authorities to promptly fill the positions left vacant following the removal of officials.
He further ordered the immediate release of the investigation committee’s interim report, which will be published on the Ministry of National Health Services’ website.
The meeting was shown CCTV footage of the incident, which lasted around two minutes and illustrated the speed with which the blaze spread through the neonatal ward.
Shehbaz Sharif said the loss of innocent children’s lives was an immense tragedy and expressed solidarity with the affected families.
He reiterated that those responsible for criminal negligence would face exemplary punishment and said accountability was necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The prime minister thanked investigation committee chairman Shahid Khan and its members for their work and instructed them to complete the inquiry and submit a comprehensive report.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Syed Mustafa Kamal, committee chairman Shahid Khan, committee members Barrister Nabeel Awan and Major General (retd) Khurshid Utara, along with senior officials concerned.
