ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suspended eight officials over the deaths of 14 newborns in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and directed that those responsible face departmental and criminal action.
The prime minister also approved action against the security company responsible for PIMS security and its officials, while ordering the immediate appointment of new officials in place of those suspended.
The development followed the Aug 26 fire in the nursery of PIMS' Maternal and Child Healthcare Ward, where 15 newborns were being treated. Fourteen infants died in the blaze, while others were rescued.
During a high-level meeting on Saturday in Lahore, the inquiry committee presented its interim report to the prime minister. Some officials, including Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, attended the meeting virtually from Islamabad.
A CCTV recording of the incident, lasting approximately two minutes, was also shown during the meeting.
The eight officials identified in the report included PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, Head of the Neonatal Department Professor Dr Saadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr Naghman, Joint Executive Director Dr Mutahir Shah, Joint Executive Director Dr Waris Ali Raza, Joint Executive Director Dr Nosheela Amjad, CDA Director General Emergency Services Dr Abdul Rehman and PIMS Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman.
Formal government notifications subsequently placed the relevant officials under suspension with immediate effect. The notification for PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikandar specified an initial suspension period of 120 days under Rule 5 of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 2020.
PM Sharif directed that the officials face criminal proceedings under the law in addition to departmental action.
He also ordered the inquiry committee's interim report to be made public, and the information ministry subsequently shared the report on X.
The report said the precise technical source of ignition remained unresolved. It said possible causes under examination included an air-conditioner fault, electrical short circuit or plug overloading, with a forensic examination of equipment and associated wiring still required.
The report found significant shortcomings in fire-safety arrangements, emergency procedures and preparedness at PIMS.
It said the hospital's existing SOPs did not provide a sufficiently detailed, nursery-specific framework covering fire detection, alarms, evacuation priorities and safe relocation of non-ambulatory neonates.
The report also raised concerns over emergency exits, noting that fire and life-safety arrangements were inadequate and that emergency exits and escape routes were locked or obstructed. It said security personnel created hindrances to the initial response of the fire crew.
The inquiry found that the fire became visibly apparent at about 6:38am and developed with extraordinary rapidity, engulfing the nursery within approximately two minutes.
It also raised questions over the emergency notification and response chain. The report said the emergency call was recorded at approximately 6:54am, while the first emergency response reached the site about six minutes later.
It said the available record raised concerns about whether the notification chain functioned effectively.
The report noted that a fire had occurred at the PIMS Female Nursing Hostel on July 6, about six weeks before the nursery fire. It said the earlier incident had prompted recommendations including a comprehensive fire-safety audit, emergency response and rescue procedures, mock drills and written emergency-response arrangements.
The committee said the significance of the July incident was not that it established the cause of the Aug 26 fire, but that it raised concerns over whether previously identified deficiencies had been adequately addressed.
The report also said the nursery's emergency preparedness required immediate strengthening, including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, hydrants, emergency lighting, designated fire exits, evacuation routes and trained personnel.
The committee recommended that the responsible departments establish clear emergency notification and incident-command protocols, with designated officers and tested communication arrangements.
The inquiry also said administrative, disciplinary and criminal processes should remain distinct, with criminal liability ultimately determined by the competent investigating and judicial authorities.
The government subsequently began implementing the replacement arrangements ordered by the prime minister. Dr Muhammad Salman, Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health, was transferred to PIMS as Executive Director on deputation for three years or until regular incumbents become available, whichever was earlier.
Other notifications assigned additional or current charges to officials at PIMS, including Dr Nuzhat Yasmeen as Joint Executive Director of the Children Hospital, Dr Altaf Hussain as Joint Executive Director (Non-Medical), Dr Shumaila as Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Amina as Senior Registrar in the MCH Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Dr Rehmana Waris as Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Hassan Ashraf as Assistant Director Security.
One nurse, identified in the report as Ms Raziq, was credited with evacuating the only surviving baby while risking her own life. The committee recommended a financial reward of Rs10 million ($35,849.78) for her and a suitable civil award in recognition of her actions.
The prime minister subsequently approved the “Sitara-e-Khidmat” for the nurse.
The report said the available evidence raised serious questions about institutional preparedness, administrative oversight and the effective implementation of previously identified safety measures.
It said these issues warranted further investigation before individual criminal liability could be conclusively determined.
PM Sharif directed the committee, headed by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report.
“The people responsible for this incident will be brought to justice,” he added.
The prime minister said the deaths of the newborns had left the entire nation grieving and directed that those responsible receive exemplary punishment to prevent such negligence from separating another mother from her child.
He also expressed condolences to the parents and families of the infants.
The inquiry committee said its interim findings represented prima facie findings based on the evidence available at that stage, while final criminal responsibility would be determined by the competent authorities.
The committee recommended departmental and disciplinary proceedings against the relevant PIMS and external officials, while directing that the evidence be preserved for further investigation.
Federal ministers, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, inquiry committee Chairman Shahid Khan, committee members Barrister Nabeel Awan and Major General (retd) Khurshid Utra, and other senior officials attended the meeting.