ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the immediate suspension of eight officials following an interim investigation into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
The prime minister also ordered departmental and criminal proceedings against those identified by the inquiry committee. He said officials responsible for criminal negligence would receive no leniency.
The decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the PIMS fire incident. The investigation committee presented its interim report, which highlighted serious gaps in fire safety, emergency preparedness and hospital management.
Eight Officials Face Immediate Action
The officials facing action include PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr. Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Director Dr. Mutahir Shah and Dr. Owais Ali Shah.
The list also includes Professor Dr. Saadia Riaz, head of the Neonatal Department; Senior Registrar Dr. Naghma; Dr. Nosheela Amjad; PIMS Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman; and CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr. Abdul Rehman.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz directed authorities to take action against the officials without discrimination. He also ordered proceedings against the private security company responsible for security at the hospital and its officials.
Moreover, he directed authorities to appoint replacements immediately for officials removed from their positions.
Investigation Reveals Major Safety Gaps
The interim investigation found that PIMS had no detailed standard operating procedures or proper training for fire emergencies.
The inquiry found that only two subsections of the hospital’s 13 SOPs mentioned fire or emergency situations. It also found that supervisory staff were not present on duty when the fire broke out.
At the time, two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer were present in the ward.
According to the briefing, the fire spread through the entire ward in only about two minutes. A nurse, however, risked her life and rescued a child before the flames spread further.
Emergency Response Faced Delays
The investigation also highlighted serious delays in the emergency response.
Officials called emergency services six minutes after the fire started. However, the first emergency response arrived 15 minutes after the call.
The inquiry further found that the neonatal ward had no fire alarm or sprinkler system.
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Investigators also reported violations of relevant World Health Organization safety requirements for neonatal facilities. In addition, the hospital had no dedicated officer responsible for fire and emergency preparedness. Instead, the assistant director held the responsibility as an additional duty.
Earlier Fire Raised Safety Concerns
The committee noted that a fire had already occurred at the PIMS nursing hostel in July, just one month before the latest incident.
Despite that earlier incident, the hospital did not take sufficient safety measures, according to the interim findings.
The meeting also received a briefing on the hospital’s deteriorating condition and alleged administrative mismanagement.
Nurse Honoured for Saving Child
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the Sitara-e-Khidmat award and a cash reward of Rs100 million for nurse Razia Noreen.
The nurse saved a child despite putting her own life at risk during the fire.
The prime minister also ordered further investigation into the role of a nurse and a female security guard who were present in the ward. He directed authorities to assign them to non-operational duties as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Meanwhile, the prime minister instructed authorities to appoint Dr. Muhammad Salman, CEO of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as acting executive director of PIMS.
Interim Report to Be Made Public
Prime Minister Shehbaz ordered the immediate publication of the investigation committee’s interim report.
The Ministry of National Health Services will publish the report on its official website.
He also directed the committee to complete its investigation and submit a detailed final report.
Expressing grief over the deaths of innocent children, Shehbaz said the tragedy had deeply affected the entire nation. He extended his condolences to the families and promised exemplary punishment for those responsible.
The prime minister stressed that authorities must ensure that negligence does not lead to another tragedy in which families lose their children.
The meeting also reviewed CCTV footage of the incident, which lasted approximately two minutes from the outbreak of the fire to the rapid spread of flames.
PM Demands Accountability
Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the investigation committee’s chairman Shahid Khan and its members for their work.
He directed the authorities to pursue both departmental and criminal proceedings wherever the investigation establishes responsibility.
The government’s response now depends on the committee’s final findings and the implementation of the safety measures ordered after the incident.
