Pakistan Hospital Fire: 8 Officials Suspended After Tragic Newborn Deaths

Aug 30, 2026

70 min

Aug 30, 2026 11:31

Pakistan hospital fire: 8 officials suspended as probe reveals failures behind 14 newborn deaths

## Investigation Findings

A fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns. An inquiry revealed significant safety lapses, including the absence of fire alarms and sprinklers in the neonatal ward. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the ward in just two minutes.

## Official Response

Following the investigation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the suspension of eight senior officials and initiated criminal proceedings. The suspended officials include the hospital's executive director and other senior staff members. The government has also announced compensation for the affected families.

## Emergency Response Delays

The inquiry highlighted delays in emergency response, with services called six minutes after the fire began and first responders arriving 15 minutes later. The hospital lacked a dedicated officer for fire emergencies, which was instead an additional duty for an assistant director.

## Wider Implications

The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and calls for accountability. In response, Punjab province has ordered a review of fire safety systems in hospitals. The incident is one of Pakistan's deadliest involving children, following a similar tragedy in Lahore earlier this year.

## Recognition and Future Measures

A nurse who saved the sole surviving baby is set to receive a state award for her bravery. The government is taking steps to ensure such negligence does not occur again, emphasizing the need for stringent safety measures in healthcare facilities.

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