Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has removed Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori from his position following the deadly fire at PIMS in Islamabad.
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting chaired by the prime minister after the incident claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies, according to officials. The tragedy has raised serious questions about hospital safety, emergency response and the arrangements in place to protect vulnerable patients.
The fire reportedly broke out in a nursery at PIMS, where newborn babies were receiving medical care. Following the incident, the prime minister expressed strong displeasure and ordered authorities to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
A high-level committee has now been established to examine the incident and determine whether administrative failures or other factors contributed to the tragedy.
A separate district-level panel will focus specifically on the technical side of the incident. Its investigation will include an examination of the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements and the circumstances that allowed the fire to cause such severe loss of life.
Authorities have indicated that responsibility will be determined on the basis of the investigation findings and that appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible.
The tragedy has intensified concerns about safety standards in major public hospitals, particularly in specialised units where newborns and critically ill patients may require assistance during an emergency.
The investigations are expected to provide a clearer picture of how the fire started, how emergency teams responded and whether required safety measures were in place and functioning properly.
The government has pledged accountability as the inquiry moves forward. The findings could also lead to further administrative decisions and recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in healthcare facilities.
The PIMS fire has highlighted the urgent need for strong fire-prevention systems, emergency preparedness and effective safety protocols in hospitals.
