PM vows no leniency for officials held responsible for PIMS fire
Directs health minister, secretary to oversee PIMS improvements and ensure safety measures after fire
On September 2, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed that officials found guilty of criminal negligence in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) fire incident would face strict and uncompromising action. The fire on August 26 claimed the lives of 14 newborns at the Mother and Child Hospital's third floor in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Sharif convened an emergency meeting following the interim report from an inquiry committee, which recommended suspending eight officials. Following the meeting, the PM's office confirmed that the implementation of his decisions was being ensured. The prime minister ordered the health minister and health secretary to personally oversee improvements at PIMS on alternate days and ensure the implementation of safety measures.
He also directed an acceleration of the health sector reforms. The committee's interim report identified deficiencies and recommended action against eight individuals, including the PIMS Executive Director, Joint Executive Directors, head of the neonatal department, senior registrars, and an assistant director security. The fire's source of ignition remained inconclusive, but electrical/equipment-related causes were considered plausible.
The committee also highlighted inadequate fire and life-safety arrangements, obstructed emergency exits, and poor crowd management during the initial response.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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