President approves Tamgha-i-Shujaat for Pims nurse who saved newborn during deadly fire

President Asif Ali Zardari recently approved the conferral of the Tamgha-i-Shujaat upon nurse Razia Noreen of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for her heroic act of saving a newborn during a devastating fire at the facility. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of 14 infants on August 26, has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. The fire safety lapse has been the subject of intense scrutiny, leading to criminal charges against eight officials.

Noreen's swift and selfless actions, captured on CCTV footage, demonstrated her unwavering commitment to her duty. She entered the nursery as the fire engulfed the room and emerged with the infant, only to attempt another rescue shortly after, only to find the flames had completely engulfed the nursery. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously honored Noreen with a Rs10 million cheque, recognizing her extraordinary bravery and sense of duty.

In her own words, Noreen stated that she was merely fulfilling her responsibility, as the trust of the children rested on her shoulders at that critical moment. The committee investigating the fire, formed in the aftermath of the tragedy, has concluded that the blaze was most likely caused by a localized electrical failure. However, they also emphasized the systemic and institutional failures that turned the fire into a catastrophic event.

Despite the efforts of frontline personnel, the evidence suggests that the situation was handled with "an exceptionally rapid emergency," and rejects any claims that the medical staff abandoned the newborns.