Health Minister Mustafa Kamal Vows Accountability Over PIMS Fire

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said 14 newborns lost their lives in the PIMS Hospital fire in Islamabad, describing the incident as a tragedy and vowing that anyone found responsible for negligence would face consequences. Speaking to the media, Kamal said he had offered himself for accountability first and that no one responsible for the incident would be spared.

Kamal said the fire reportedly began at around 6:38am when a spark occurred and flames emerged from inside an air-conditioning unit. He said 15 children were on oxygen at the time of the incident, while four children in an adjoining room were successfully rescued. The minister said investigations into the PIMS fire were underway and that the media would be briefed on the findings.

Responding to questions about his possible resignation, Kamal said he had said everything he could at that point and noted that the prime minister had the authority to suspend or remove anyone he deemed appropriate. He said he would meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shortly to discuss the incident and reiterated that any negligence established by the investigation would result in punishment.