ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif removed Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori on Wednesday after a fire at the nursery ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) killed 14 newborns.
Shehbaz took notice of the tragedy during a high-level emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s House. Senior officials and heads of relevant institutions attended the meeting.
At the start of the meeting, the prime minister ordered Ghori’s immediate removal from his post. He also ordered a high-level investigation into the fire.
Former interior secretary Shahid Khan will head the inquiry committee. Federal Secretary Establishment Dr Barrister Noel Awan will also serve on the panel.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad district administration has formed a separate eight-member committee to investigate the incident.
An additional deputy commissioner general will lead the committee. The panel includes the director general of Capital Emergency Services and the SP City.
The assistant commissioner of I-9 and a senior official from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) will also serve on the committee. Officials from the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and PIMS Hospital are also members.
The district committee will determine the cause of the fire and submit its report within 24 hours.
PM Orders Immediate Investigation
Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office said Shehbaz had expressed deep grief over the deaths.
“Such a tragic incident has deeply saddened me,” the prime minister said, according to a statement posted on the PM Office’s official X account.
He described the deaths as an unbearable tragedy involving children. He also directed authorities to examine all aspects of the incident, identify those responsible and take strict action.
Five Bodies Handed Over to Families
Meanwhile, PIMS administration has handed over the bodies of five of the 14 newborns to their families.
The fire broke out early Wednesday in the nursery of the hospital’s Mother and Child Health ward. Hospital officials said 15 babies were in the nursery at the time and that staff rescued only one child.
Parents Raise Questions Over Response
The tragedy has also triggered serious questions from affected parents about the hospital’s emergency response.
According to reports, the fire brigade reached the hospital 20 to 25 minutes after the blaze started. Parents also alleged that no staff members were present in the incubation centre when the fire broke out.
One affected woman alleged that hospital officials simply told families that their babies had died.
She also questioned why families had not been shown their children’s clothes or other belongings.
The woman further claimed that no doctor or other hospital staff member reached the ward for nearly an hour.
Authorities have not independently verified these allegations.
Health Minister Promises Action
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said he remained in contact with the PIMS administration and other relevant officials.
He confirmed the deaths of 14 newborns and said the director general of health and the hospital secretary were present at PIMS.
Kamal said authorities would take strict action if negligence contributed to the tragedy.
“If I am also at fault, I will not be spared,” he said.
Speaking to media, Kamal said hospital staff went to call rescue teams after the fire started. He said the blaze spread rapidly and added that the hospital’s firefighting equipment was working.
The minister also said PIMS was operating beyond its capacity.
Probe Into Fire and Safety Measures
The authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, the hospital’s emergency response and possible safety lapses.
The inquiry committees will also determine whether negligence or procedural failures contributed to the deaths.
The latest action comes amid growing public concern over safety standards at the country’s largest public hospitals and the protection of vulnerable newborn patients.
