Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the suspension of eight officials after a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad killed 14 newborn babies. He also ordered departmental and criminal proceedings against those identified as responsible.
The decision came after an interim inquiry report was presented to the prime minister on Saturday. The report pointed to serious problems in fire safety, emergency response and evacuation arrangements at the hospital.
The suspended officials include PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, Head of Neonatology Professor Dr Sadia Riaz, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Chaudhry Waris Ali Raza, Senior Registrar Dr Naghma, MCH Director Dr Nosheela Amjad, CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr Abdul Rehman and PIMS Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman.
The fire broke out in the neonatal nursery on August 26. The inquiry found that the ward had major safety gaps, including a lack of proper fire alarms and sprinklers. The exact technical cause of the fire is still being investigated. The prime minister has said those responsible will face legal action.
