ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s House over the fire at PIMS Hospital that killed 14 newborn babies, calling all relevant officials and heads of concerned institutions to attend.
According to sources, the meeting will focus on determining those responsible for the fire, which broke out early Wednesday in the nursery of the Mother and Child Health (MCH) ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Separately, the Islamabad district administration has formally notified an eight-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The committee will be headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) and is required to submit its report within 24 hours of completing its investigation.
Committee Members
Alongside the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), the committee includes:
- The Director General of Capital Emergency Services
- The SP City
- The Assistant Commissioner I-9
- The Director General of the Capital Development Authority (CDA)
- Officials from the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)
- Officials from PIMS Hospital
The panel’s formation follows revelations from rescue sources that fire safety arrangements at the hospital were seriously inadequate, including fire hoses without couplings, no water at the designated fire point, locked evacuation routes, and no staff present in the incubation center when the fire broke out.
The prime minister has already directed that the causes of the incident be examined in detail and that the strictest possible action be taken against those found responsible.
Also read:
Serious Safety Lapses Exposed at PIMS Hospital Following Fatal Newborn Fire
