Pakistan suspends eight officials after deadly infant ward fire

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suspended eight officials following a deadly fire at a maternity ward in the capital city, which left 14 infants dead. The fire erupted just after 6:30 am on Wednesday, engulfing the unit within approximately two minutes, as per a preliminary report by a four-person committee formed by the Prime Minister.

Among the suspended personnel were the hospital's executive director, the head of the neonatal department, and the director general of Islamabad's emergency services. Sharif vowed that individuals responsible for criminal negligence would face justice and decreed action against the company responsible for the hospital's security, though he did not name the company.

Emergency services arrived at the scene within six minutes of the fire breaking out, but witnesses reported a slow response, with guards allegedly preventing people from exiting the building. The hospital lacked detailed operating procedures and fire and emergency training, according to the report. Two nurses, a security guard, and another officer were present in the ward when the blaze ignited, but there were no supervising staff.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal suggested that a spark from an air conditioner likely caused the fire, though the ignition source remains undetermined pending further investigation. Health Secretary Aslam Ghori was dismissed on Wednesday in the wake of the tragic incident. Fires in large buildings are common in Pakistan, often resulting from inadequate safety laws and building codes coupled with lax enforcement.