{
  "id": 5722861,
  "title": "PIMS fire: IHC seeks respondents' replies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/pims-fire-ihc-seeks-respondents-replies",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T15:46:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
    "slug": "the-express-tribune-pakistan",
    "url": "https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627544/pims-fire-ihc-seeks-respondents-replies"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Islamabad High Court has mandated respondents to submit responses within a 15-day timeframe regarding requests for a Federal Investigation Agency-led investigation into the recent tragedy at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and the dismissal of the hospital's executive director. Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the order, along with a request for authorities to submit a report on the incident, including detailed comments, and to enclose the presented reports on the tragedy to the prime minister. The tragedy claimed the lives of fourteen newborn babies when a fire erupted on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital's ward in Islamabad's Pims on August 26. This incident sparked widespread calls for accountability and action against those responsible for the gross negligence. Following the hearing, the court's single-member bench directed the respondents to provide written replies, stating that the petitioner's own newborn son perished in a fire incident that occurred in September 2025. The petition also sought an investigation into negligence, dereliction of duty, and administrative failures by the officials responsible, emphasizing the need for effective accountability in senior administrative positions. The petition highlighted the responsibility of authorities to ensure safety, fire safety, and emergency arrangements in public hospitals, and requested the preservation of CCTV footage, electronic data, duty records, and maintenance records for an inquiry.",
  "summary": "Petitioner sought an independent inquiry against the Pims executive director and the responsible officers",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Newborns’ deaths in Pims fire prompt safety drills in capital buildings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/newborns-deaths-in-pims-fire-prompt-safety-drills-in-capital-buildings",
        "published": "2026-09-05T03:47:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}