PIMS Nursery Fire: PM Shehbaz Suspends Health Secretary After Newborn Deaths

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered the immediate suspension and removal of Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori following the deaths of 14 newborns in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

The prime minister expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of relevant officials during a meeting in Islamabad to review the tragedy.

He also formed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident and determine responsibility.

Former interior secretary Shahid Khan has been appointed chairman of the inquiry committee, while Secretary Establishment Dr Barrister Nawal Awan is among its members.

The committee will conduct a detailed investigation into the PIMS nursery fire and submit its findings to the government.

PM Shehbaz also directed Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to immediately return to Islamabad from Karachi, visit PIMS, assess the situation and submit a report.

Earlier, Kamal described the fire as a “tragic incident” and confirmed that 14 newborns had died.

The minister said hospital staff were on duty despite the holiday and that electricity was disrupted after the fire broke out. He added that authorities were in contact with the parents of the deceased infants.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who visited PIMS, said the fire broke out at around 6:45am and spread rapidly through the ICU.

He said two doctors, two nurses and paramedical staff were present at the time of the incident. Only one newborn was rescued, while six bodies had been handed over to their parents.

Chaudhry said the fire was caused by a short circuit, although the exact cause would be determined by the inquiry committee. He added that oxygen and its supply lines contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

The minister said the prime minister had sought a full report and that those found responsible for negligence would face punishment.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of 14 newborns, saying he shared the grief of the bereaved parents.

He prayed for patience and strength for the families and called for those responsible to be identified and dealt with strictly. He also stressed the need for effective measures to prevent similar incidents.

Inquiry committees

The Islamabad administration has formed an eight-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The committee, headed by the additional deputy commissioner, has been given 24 hours to submit its report.

It will determine the cause of the fire, examine fire-safety arrangements at the hospital and assess the rescue response and firefighting operation.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also said a separate inquiry committee had been formed under the supervision of the PIMS vice chancellor.

Fire-safety questions

The tragedy has raised serious questions about fire-safety arrangements at one of Islamabad’s largest public hospitals, especially because the affected ward housed vulnerable newborns.

Leaders express grief

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief over the deaths and directed authorities to identify those responsible and take strict action according to the law. He also called for effective fire-safety measures in all hospitals.

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani described the deaths as tragic and urged hospitals to take effective steps to prevent fires.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed condolences to the bereaved families and described the incident as deeply distressing.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed sympathy with the families and said the government stood with them in their hour of grief.

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called the deaths an unbearable tragedy and demanded an impartial investigation. He called for strict accountability for those responsible for negligence and urged the federal government to improve safety measures in public hospitals.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Energy Owais Leghari also expressed deep sorrow over the incident and prayed for strength for the affected families.

The inquiry committees are expected to establish the exact cause of the fire and determine whether safety lapses contributed to the loss of life.