PIMS fire: inquiry finds major shortcomings, recommends prompt action against those responsible

The preliminary inquiry report into the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) tragedy has been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the investigation committee recommending immediate action against those found responsible. The Wednesday fire in the hospital’s neonatal ward killed 14 newborn babies.

Sources said the report was submitted late Friday night to the office of Prime Minister’s Adviser Tauqeer Shah. The inquiry committee, headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan, subsequently forwarded the report to the prime minister.

The committee has briefed the prime minister on the report’s findings and recommendations, sources said. The authority to make the report public has also been left with the prime minister.

According to sources familiar with the findings, the report identifies serious deficiencies in medical care and facilities at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). It reportedly concludes that the hospital lacks facilities meeting international standards and recommends prompt action against those responsible for the shortcomings.

The committee has also determined the causes of the tragedy and identified those it considers responsible. The report carries the signatures of all members of the inquiry committee, sources said.

The investigation also examines difficulties faced by rescue teams during the emergency response. It recommends action against relevant PIMS staff members who were absent during the incident and proposes measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Interviews with PIMS administrators and doctors have been incorporated into the report, while statements from fire brigade and rescue personnel are also included.

The inquiry was ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after a fire broke out in the neonatal ward at PIMS three days ago, killing 14 newborn babies in the nursery.

The findings are expected to guide the government’s next steps, including possible disciplinary or other action against officials and staff found responsible for negligence or failures highlighted by the committee.

The PIMS tragedy triggered widespread criticism and demands for accountability in both the National Assembly and Senate on Friday as lawmakers called for a transparent and independent investigation into the incident, while Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said those found responsible for negligence would face action. He said he considered himself accountable as the federal health minister but urged parliamentarians to await the findings of the official inquiry before drawing conclusions.

Both houses took up the matter after suspending their routine business. The Senate unanimously approved a resolution calling for a special committee to investigate the deaths, while the National Assembly also adopted a resolution seeking the determination of responsibility for any safety failures and legal action against those found negligent.

Opposition lawmakers raised questions about PIMS’ fire-safety arrangements, emergency exits and hospital management. PPP Senator Sherry Rehman pointed to alleged contradictions between statements by PIMS officials, firefighters and the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which had previously raised concerns about the hospital’s fire-safety measures. She also questioned why corrective action had not been taken despite government funding for the hospital.

PTI Senator Ali Zafar called for a thorough investigation into the immediate cause of the fire and urged authorities to ensure the tragedy did not become another incident that was mourned and then forgotten. Other lawmakers, including members of the PPP and JUI-F, called for the health minister’s resignation.

The government also proposed a parliamentary committee comprising members from all political parties to monitor the health sector in Islamabad and examine weaknesses in public hospitals. The proposed body would be jointly chaired by the National Assembly speaker and Senate chairman.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced compensation of Rs5 million for each affected family. He said most of the infants died from smoke inhalation rather than burns and that identification was possible through identification tags carrying their mothers’ names.