Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that officials found responsible for criminal negligence in the PIMS fire that killed 14 newborn babies would face strict action, saying there would be no leniency for those responsible for the tragedy.
The fire broke out on August 26 on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, killing 14 newborns and prompting widespread calls for accountability.
Following an interim inquiry report, the prime minister had already approved the immediate suspension of eight officials and directed authorities to initiate departmental as well as criminal proceedings against those found responsible.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz chaired an emergency meeting on the incident and other health-sector matters immediately after returning from Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday.
Officials briefed the prime minister on the continuing investigation and told him that decisions taken on the basis of the interim inquiry report were being implemented.
“No leniency will be shown to officials guilty of criminal negligence,” the Prime Minister’s Office quoted Shehbaz as saying.
The prime minister also ordered the health minister and federal health secretary to personally visit PIMS on alternate days and supervise measures being taken to improve conditions at the hospital.
He directed authorities to upgrade treatment facilities, ensure the implementation of all necessary safety measures and accelerate broader reforms in the health sector.
The latest directives come as scrutiny of the PIMS tragedy continues, with parliamentary committees questioning fire-safety arrangements and aspects of the evidence surrounding the blaze, while the Islamabad High Court has also sought a report on the incident.