Shehbaz Sharif Suspends Eight Officials After Pims Hospital Fire

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the immediate suspension of eight officials following a deadly fire in the neonatal ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). The suspended staff, including Executive Director Professor Dr. Imran Sikandar and several Joint Executive Directors, face allegations of criminal negligence.

A preliminary inquiry report identified severe safety failures at the facility, including the absence of fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and standard operating procedures. The investigation noted that emergency services were not contacted until six minutes after the blaze began. In response, the government ordered criminal proceedings against the responsible officials and the security company managing the hospital.

To stabilize hospital operations, the government appointed Dr. Muhammad Salman as Acting Executive Director and mandated a comprehensive hospital-wide fire and life-safety audit. Amid the tragedy, the Prime Minister awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and 1 million rupees to Nurse Razia Noreen for her actions in saving a child during the fire.