PIMS hospital fire: PM removes Health Secretary, orders high-level inquiry after deaths
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken immediate action following the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
The prime minister expressed strong anger over the incident during an emergency meeting held to review the deaths of newborn babies at the hospital.
All relevant officials and heads of concerned institutions were called to the Prime Minister House for the meeting.
According to the announcement, Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori was immediately suspended and removed from his position.
The prime minister also ordered the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident and determine responsibility.
High-level committee formed
Former interior secretary Shahid Khan has been appointed as head of the high-level investigation committee.
Secretary Establishment Dr Barrister Noel Awan is also included in the committee.
The committee will investigate the circumstances surrounding the PIMS hospital fire and examine whether negligence or administrative failures contributed to the deaths.
The move comes as authorities face growing questions about safety arrangements and emergency response at the hospital.
The government has indicated that those found responsible will face action after the investigation is completed.
District administration launches separate probe
The Islamabad district administration has also formed an eight-member committee to investigate the fire.
The committee will be headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner General and will determine the cause of the blaze.
Its members include the Director General of Capital Emergency Services and the Superintendent of Police City.
The Assistant Commissioner I-9 and a senior official from the Capital Development Authority are also part of the committee.
Officials from the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and PIMS have also been included in the investigation team.
The district-level committee has been directed to complete its investigation and submit a report within 24 hours.
Also Read:PIMS hospital fire kills 14 infants, investigation launched
Authorities under pressure to find answers
The formation of two investigation committees shows the seriousness with which the government is treating the PIMS hospital fire.
The inquiries are expected to examine how the fire started, whether safety procedures were followed and how the emergency response was handled.
The authorities will also need to establish whether any negligence contributed to the deaths of the newborns.
The investigations could provide important answers for the affected families, who are seeking clarity about what happened inside the hospital.
The incident has also raised broader concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities.
Health minister promises accountability
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said he remained in constant contact with the PIMS administration and other relevant authorities following the incident.
He said that anyone found responsible for negligence would not be spared.
The minister also said he would accept responsibility if the investigation found that he himself had made a mistake related to the incident.
His statement comes as the government faces pressure to ensure that the investigation is transparent and that responsibility is clearly established.
The inquiry reports will now be closely watched for details about the cause of the fire and any failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.
