ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation into the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital nursery ward fire that killed 14 newborns.
The prime minister expressed deep grief over the deaths. He said such a tragedy involving children was “unbearable” and demanded a detailed review of the circumstances that led to the fire.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the tragic fire incident and directed the authorities to conduct an immediate investigation”, the statement issued from the PM Office on X read.
اسلام آباد : 26 اگست 2026.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے پمز ہسپتال کی نرسری میں آتشزدگی کے اندوناک واقعہ میں 14 نومولود جاں بحق ہونے پر گہرے دکھ اور دِلی افسوس کا اظہار کیا. وزیراعظم نے معصوم بچوں کے لواحقین سے دلی اظہار تعزیت کیا۔ وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے آتشزدگی کے افسوسناک…
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 26, 2026
He also ordered authorities to conduct an immediate investigation and identify those responsible.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the tragic fire incident and directed the authorities to conduct an immediate investigation.
“Such a tragic incident has deeply saddened me,” Shehbaz said. He also expressed solidarity with the bereaved parents.
Meanwhile, the hospital administration has handed over bodies of five newborn babies out of 14 to their families.
Eight-Member Committee Formed to Probe PIMS Fire
Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration has formed an eight-member inquiry committee to investigate the fire.
An additional deputy commissioner will lead the committee. The panel also includes the director general of Capital Emergency Services and the SP City.
In addition, the assistant commissioner of I-9 and a senior official from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) are part of the committee.
Officials from the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and PIMS Hospital have also been included.
The committee will determine the cause of the fire and submit its report within 24 hours, the district administration said.
According to the administration, the fire broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward at PIMS Hospital.
Hospital officials said 15 babies were in the nursery when the fire started. Staff managed to rescue only one child.
Parents Raise Questions Over PIMS Nursery Fire
Meanwhile, some parents have raised serious questions about the incident. It is reported that the fire brigade arrived 20 to 25 minutes after the fire broke out. At the time the incident occurred, no staff was present.
One affected woman alleged that hospital staff were not present in the incubation centre when the fire started.
“We were simply told that the babies had died,” she said, alleging that the children may have been removed from the ward.
She also questioned why parents had not been shown their children’s clothes or other belongings.
The woman further claimed that no doctor or hospital staff member arrived for nearly an hour after the fire broke out.
However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
Health Minister Says Officials in Contact With Parents
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed the deaths of 14 newborns.
He said the director general of health and the hospital secretary were at PIMS and that officials were in contact with the affected parents.
Kamal said he was travelling from Karachi to Islamabad following the incident.
He promised a full investigation if negligence was found to have caused the fire. He also said those responsible would face strict action.
“If I am also at fault, I will not be spared,” Kamal said.
Responding to a question from Geo News, Kamal said hospital staff went to call rescue teams after the fire started.
He said the blaze spread very quickly. He added that the hospital’s firefighting equipment was functioning.
Kamal also said PIMS was operating beyond its capacity.
Also Read: PIMS Hospital Nursery Fire Kills 14 Newborns
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire and the hospital’s emergency response. The inquiry committee is expected to submit its findings within 24 hours.
