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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the immediate suspension of eight officials identified by an inquiry committee in connection with the fatal fire at the neonatal ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), directing authorities to initiate both departmental and criminal proceedings against those held responsible.

Chairing a high-level meeting on the PIMS fire incident, the prime minister was presented with the inquiry committee’s interim report and ordered that action against the identified officials be taken without discrimination.

The officials named in the interim findings include PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Owais Ali Shah, head of the Neonatal Department Professor Dr Saadia Riaz, senior registrar Dr Naghma, Dr Nousheela Amjad, PIMS Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman and CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr Abdul Rehman.

The prime minister specifically directed that those responsible should face proceedings not only under departmental rules but also under relevant criminal laws. He also approved action against the security company deployed at PIMS and its officials.

“Those responsible for criminal negligence do not deserve any concession,” the prime minister said, adding that those responsible for the tragedy would be brought to justice.

He directed authorities to ensure exemplary punishment so that, because of anyone’s criminal negligence, no mother would again lose her child.

The prime minister also approved the conferment of the Sitara-e-Khidmat on a nurse who risked her life to save a child during the fire.

He further ordered that a nurse and a female security guard who were present in the ward at the time of the incident be made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) and directed that further investigations involving them be conducted.

Prime Minister Shehbaz instructed Dr Muhammad Salman, CEO of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to take charge as acting executive director of PIMS. He also ordered the immediate appointment of new officials to fill positions vacated by those removed from their posts.

The prime minister directed the government to make the interim inquiry report public immediately. The report is expected to be uploaded on the Ministry of National Health Services’ website.

Also Read: Govt Announces Rs5 Million Compensation for Families of PIMS Fire Victims

Inquiry Finds Major Fire-Safety Failures

The meeting was briefed that the preliminary investigation had found no detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) or training at PIMS specifically dealing with fires or other emergency situations.

Of the hospital’s 13 SOPs, references to fire or emergency situations were found in only two subsections, according to the briefing.

The inquiry further found that supervisory staff were not present on duty when the fire broke out. At the time, two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer were present in the ward.

According to the briefing, the fire spread through and consumed the entire ward in approximately two minutes.

One nurse reportedly risked her life and rescued a child before the flames spread further through the ward.

Emergency services were called six minutes after the fire broke out, while the first emergency response arrived 15 minutes after the call, the meeting was told.

The briefing also highlighted that a fire had occurred at the PIMS nursing hostel in July, only a month before the neonatal ward tragedy. Despite that incident, serious additional safety measures were reportedly not implemented at the hospital.

The neonatal ward had neither a fire alarm nor a sprinkler system, while the inquiry found violations of the World Health Organization’s relevant requirements for neonatal facilities.

The meeting was also told that PIMS had no dedicated officer responsible for fire and emergency situations. Instead, an assistant director had been assigned the responsibility in addition to his regular duties.

PM Expresses Grief Over Deaths

The prime minister described the deaths of innocent children as an “extremely tragic incident” that had left the entire nation grieving.

He expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents, saying that the entire nation, including himself, stood with the families who lost their children.

Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked inquiry committee chairman Shahid Khan and all members for their work and directed them to complete the investigation and submit a more detailed report.

CCTV footage of the incident, lasting approximately two minutes, was also shown during the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Syed Mustafa Kamal, inquiry committee chairman Shahid Khan, committee members Barrister Nabeel Awan and Major General (retd) Khurshid Utra, along with senior officials concerned.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has cancelled the licences of 50 pilots and suspended those of 33 others following allegations of fake pilot licences, the Ministry of Defence told the National Assembly on Friday.

In a written response submitted during Question Hour, the ministry said the controversy over pilots’ licences had resulted in international restrictions on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights by the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United States.

As a consequence of the restrictions, PIA suffered an estimated Rs200 billion in revenue losses between August 2020 and December 2024, according to the government’s response.

The ministry said the government took action against pilots under the Civil Aviation Rules, 1994, cancelling 50 licences and suspending a further 33.

Also Read: Pakistan Lodges Strong Protest Over US Ambassador’s Statement on Jammu and Kashmir

The restrictions also resulted in PIA losing access to the UK, described in the government’s response as the airline’s most profitable international market.

The ministry said the loss of the UK market directly benefited competing airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which gained a greater share of passenger traffic on routes previously served by PIA.

The government has also constituted a cabinet committee, headed by the defence minister, to examine matters related to the issue.

ISLAMABAD: An initial inquiry report into the devastating fire at the nursery of Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has been prepared and submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the findings highlighting serious shortcomings in the hospital’s medical and fire-safety arrangements.

According to sources, the report was submitted by inquiry committee chairman and former interior secretary Shahid Khan to the office of the prime minister’s adviser, Tauqeer Shah, who subsequently forwarded it to the prime minister.

The report, signed by all members of the inquiry committee, can be made public only with the prime minister’s authorization. Sources said strict legal and administrative action is likely against officials and staff found responsible for negligence.

The inquiry found deficiencies in both healthcare and fire-safety facilities at PIMS, stating that none of the safety arrangements at the hospital met international standards.

The committee also recorded interviews with hospital administrators and doctors, as well as statements from firefighters and rescue personnel. The report details the difficulties encountered during the emergency response and recommends strict action against relevant staff members who were found absent when the incident occurred.

The findings come after a separate Capital Development Authority (CDA) fire incident report also raised serious concerns. According to that report, a fire exit at the hospital had allegedly been kept permanently closed with locks, while security personnel reportedly created obstacles for firefighters during their initial response.

Also Read: Govt Announces Rs5 Million Compensation for Families of PIMS Fire Victims

Meanwhile, conflicting accounts have emerged from officials and eyewitnesses regarding the sequence of events and the administrative measures taken on the day of the tragedy.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said a spark, possibly originating from an air conditioner, was detected at around 6:38am, while video footage showed people beginning to evacuate the ward at approximately 6:39am.

He said 14 babies in the ward were receiving oxygen, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The minister also confirmed that the hospital did not have an automatic fire sprinkler system and that 26 fire extinguishers were used to combat the blaze.

PIMS Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar, however, rejected claims that the relevant door had been locked. He said that, because of previous incidents involving child abductions, only one door was kept for restricted access, but it was not locked.

Questions have also been raised over the response time of emergency teams and the identification of victims.

Khurram Mahmood, who lost his three-day-old daughter in the incident, told AFP that rescue workers took several hours to arrive and that victims remained on the road waiting for assistance.

Another eyewitness, Abdul Ghafoor, said the ward was filled with dense smoke and claimed that rescue teams arrived nearly two hours after the incident.

The inquiry report is now before the prime minister, who will decide whether to make its findings public and what action should be taken against those found responsible.

Authorities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have issued monsoon alerts and directed district administrations to make advance preparations as another spell of rain is expected across several parts of both provinces from August 29 to September 5.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued an alert for the eighth monsoon spell, forecasting rain in most districts of the province during the period.

According to the alert, rain is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Attock, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Gujrat, Lahore, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Hafizabad, Kasur, Okara, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal and Pakpattan.

The PDMA warned of possible urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot, while landslides could occur in Murree, Galiyat and other hilly areas.

PDMA Punjab Director General Saif Anwar, acting on the instructions of the chief minister, directed deputy commissioners across the province to remain vigilant and complete precautionary arrangements ahead of the forecast spell.

He warned that flash flooding was possible in streams and urged citizens to take precautions during adverse weather.

Saif Anwar advised residents to avoid staying in dilapidated or mud-built houses, noting that such structures account for a significant number of accidents and fatalities during the monsoon season.

He also advised people to remain in safe locations during thunderstorms and strong winds and avoid unnecessary travel. Citizens were urged to take precautions against lightning, while parents were asked to keep children away from low-lying flooded areas, electricity poles, wires and other hazardous locations.

The public can contact the PDMA Punjab helpline at 1129 in case of an emergency.

Also Read: Pakistan Railways Ordered to Pay Rs50,000 Compensation Over Train Delay

Meanwhile, the PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also issued an alert to all district administrations following a forecast of rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms from August 29 to September 5.

The forecast covers Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur and Kohistan, as well as Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber and Mohmand.

From September 1 to 4, rain is also expected in Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Waziristan.

The KP disaster management authority warned of landslides in vulnerable areas of the upper districts due to heavy rainfall. Urban flooding is also expected in low-lying areas of Mardan and Swabi from August 31 to September 5.

Strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures, electricity poles, billboards and crops, the authority said, directing district administrations and relevant departments to complete precautionary measures and remain on alert.

Tourists and travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary journeys in view of the weather conditions. Tourists have also been urged to refrain from trekking, hiking and camping during periods of heavy rain.

The PDMA KP advised the public to stay away from rivers, streams and rainwater and avoid crossing flooded roads. People were also advised to remain in safe places during thunderstorms and strong winds.

The authority said the PDMA and relevant departments were monitoring the situation around the clock. Citizens can contact the PDMA KP toll-free helpline at 1700 in case of an emergency.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Barrister Iftikhar Gilani has been elected the 17th Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir after securing 30 votes in the Legislative Assembly. He subsequently took oath of office.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Sardar Mukhtar Khan received 14 votes in the election.

The election was held in the AJK Legislative Assembly, where the PML-N currently has 32 members, while elections on seven seats are yet to be completed.

Addressing the assembly for the first time after his election, Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan and Kashmir were “incomplete without each other,” and pledged to bring development and reforms to the region along the lines of those introduced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Gilani thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz for their support. He said the Kashmir issue was not merely a dispute over a piece of land but concerned the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination under United Nations resolutions.

He condemned India’s August 5, 2019 measures and what he described as ongoing human rights violations against Kashmiris.

The newly elected premier also praised the sacrifices of the Pakistan armed forces under Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying they had contributed to an environment in which Kashmiris could live peacefully.

Also Read: Pakistan Lodges Strong Protest Over US Ambassador’s Statement on Jammu and Kashmir

Gilani outlined an agenda focused on governance, merit, digitalisation and reforms in education and healthcare. He said his government would ensure merit-based recruitment and introduce a third-party recruitment mechanism on the model of the National Testing Service (NTS).

“Every person cannot be provided a government job,” he said, stressing the need for reforms in the public sector and a shift towards a digital economy.

Acknowledging connectivity challenges in Azad Kashmir, Gilani said he was aware of the lack of internet access in parts of the region, but expressed confidence that conditions would gradually improve.

He also announced plans to reform the health and education sectors and launch a citizen portal to facilitate the registration of public complaints.

“Modern technology and a bright future for Kashmir are our next destination,” he said.

Gilani has previously served as AJK education minister and has remained active in the region’s politics for more than a decade. He was first elected to the AJK Legislative Assembly in 2011.

In the current assembly, he entered the house on a PML-N ticket through a technocrat seat.

His nomination for the premiership was finalised at a key consultation meeting attended by PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Shah Ghulam Qadir and Raja Farooq Haider. Newly elected AJK Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Raza Qadri, along with other senior party leaders, also participated in the deliberations and endorsed Gilani’s nomination by consensus.

The federal government has announced financial compensation of Rs5 million each for the families of the 14 newborn babies who died in the tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the government said it shared the grief and sorrow of the families affected by the tragedy.

The government acknowledged that no financial compensation could make up for the loss of precious human lives and that the deceased children could never be brought back. It said the financial assistance was intended to help ease the difficulties faced by the bereaved families and provide some support during their time of grief.

The government spokesperson said the authorities would extend all possible assistance and cooperation to the affected families.

Also Read: PIMS Refers Complex Gynaecology Cases to Other Hospitals After Deadly Fire

The compensation announcement comes a day after a fire broke out at the nursery of the Mother and Child Health Ward at PIMS on August 26, killing 14 newborn babies. One infant was rescued from the ward.

The incident raised serious questions about the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements and emergency response. Initial reports cited an explosion in an air-conditioning unit as a possible cause, while an initial PIMS report referred to an explosion involving a nebulizer and said the high concentration of oxygen in the nursery may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

The final cause of the fire and any possible administrative or safety lapses will be determined by the inquiry committee constituted to investigate the tragedy.