Hospital Fire Triggers Sacking
Health Secretary Sacked After Deadly Nursery Fire Kills 15 Newborns at PIMS
Anonymous
Key Points
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Casualty toll discrepancy: hospital reports 15 newborn deaths, while the Islamabad administration confirmed 14.
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Alleged cause details: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said an AC unit exploded and that oxygen in the ward may have intensified the blaze, with the exact cause to be determined by formal investigation.
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District-level inquiry: An eight-member fact-finding committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), including agencies like Capital Emergency Services, CDA, Islamabad Police, IESCO and PIMS, was formed to determine the cause and fire-safety arrangements, with a 24-hour deadline for a report.
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Eyewitness accounts of delayed response: Fire brigade teams reportedly reached PIMS about two hours after the fire broke out.
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Nursery access restrictions: Hospital officials stated access to the nursery had been restricted due to recent reports of child theft.
A fire at Pakistan's premier teaching hospital killed at least 14 newborns early this morning, sparking an immediate government crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended and removed Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghouri within hours, ordering a full investigation into the blaze at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.
The fire erupted on the third floor of PIMS's Mother and Child Health Ward, with authorities citing a possible air-conditioner explosion as the trigger. Islamabad officials reported 14 deaths, though some sources cite 15 fatalities, with at least one infant rescued from the burning ward.
Health Secretary Removed After Hospital Catastrophe
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took swift action following the tragedy, suspending Health Secretary Aslam Ghouri from his post. The PM chaired a high-level meeting and ordered strict accountability for those responsible, signaling zero tolerance for lapses at government hospitals.
A formal inquiry committee headed by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan was formed to investigate the fire's cause and assess PIMS's fire-safety measures. The committee has just 24 hours to submit findings and evaluate why rescue teams reportedly took two hours to reach the hospital.
AC Unit Exploded, Oxygen May Have Fueled Flames
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal pointed to an air-conditioner explosion as the likely cause. He noted that oxygen stored in the Mother and Child Health Ward may have intensified the blaze, turning a mechanical failure into a catastrophic inferno that trapped vulnerable newborns.
The exact trigger remains under investigation by an eight-member fact-finding committee. Officials must determine whether the explosion was preventable and whether maintenance records were properly maintained at the sprawling government medical facility.
Rescue Teams Faced Delays While Fire Spread
Eyewitness accounts suggest fire brigade teams arrived roughly two hours after the blaze started. The slow response drew intense scrutiny from the PM's office, raising urgent questions about emergency preparedness at one of Pakistan's largest government hospitals.
Hospital officials also revealed that nursery access had been restricted due to recent child theft reports. The security measure may have complicated early rescue efforts and added to the chaos as staff struggled to evacuate infants from the burning ward.
19 People Rescued as Government Orders Safety Audit
Despite the death toll, 19 people — including staff and one rescued infant — escaped the fire. Prime Minister Sharif directed authorities to conduct sweeping safety audits across all public hospitals and strengthen fire protocols nationwide.
The tragedy marks a watershed moment for Pakistan's public health infrastructure. The government's swift removal of the health secretary signals that accountability will be demanded, and safety compliance failures will no longer be tolerated at state-run medical institutions.
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