Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Orders Immediate Suspension and Criminal Action Against 8 Officials Over PIMS Fire

BY: FT Correspondent:

ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, chairing a high-level meeting on the PIMS fire incident, has approved the immediate suspension of eight individuals identified as responsible in the interim report of the inquiry committee and ordered departmental as well as criminal proceedings against them.
Those named include PIMS Executive Director Prof. Dr. Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr. Mutahir Shah and Dr. Owais Ali Shah, Head of the Neonatal Department Prof. Dr. Saadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr. Naghma, Dr. Noshaila Amjad, Assistant Director Security PIMS Muhammad Usman, and CDA Emergency Services DG Dr. Abdul Rehman.
The Prime Minister also approved action against the security company and its officials deployed at PIMS. He directed that the nurse who risked her life to save a child be awarded the Sitara-e-Khidmat.
The inquiry briefing revealed that the neonatal ward had no fire alarm or sprinkler system, while PIMS had no detailed SOPs or proper training for fire or emergency situations. The fire reportedly engulfed the entire ward within just two minutes.
Emergency services were called six minutes after the fire started, while the first emergency response arrived 15 minutes later. The inquiry also found that supervisory staff was not present on duty at the time of the incident.
The Prime Minister directed that Dr. Muhammad Salman, CEO of NIH, be appointed Acting Executive Director of PIMS and ordered the immediate appointment of new officials in place of those removed.
He further directed that the interim inquiry report be made public immediately and instructed the committee to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report.
“Those responsible for criminal negligence do not deserve any concession. The people responsible for this incident will be brought to justice,” the Prime Minister said.
He expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of innocent children and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved parents, saying exemplary punishment would be ensured so that no family loses a child due to anyone’s criminal negligence again.