NA condemns PIMS fire, demands strict action

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, which claimed the lives of newborn babies and triggered widespread concern over safety standards in public hospitals.

The resolution expressed the House’s “profound grief and sorrow” over the loss of innocent lives and strongly condemned what lawmakers described as negligence and safety failures.

House seeks strict action over negligence

The lawmakers called on the government to establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine responsibility for any negligence, administrative failure or breach of safety protocols.

The resolution demanded strict action against those found responsible, in accordance with the law, signalling growing parliamentary pressure for accountability following the devastating incident.

The House also urged the government to strengthen and strictly enforce fire-safety and emergency preparedness measures across all federal government hospitals.

Particular emphasis was placed on neonatal and paediatric units, where infants and critically ill children are especially vulnerable during emergencies.

Calls for hospital safety reforms

The tragedy has intensified questions about emergency preparedness, evacuation arrangements and fire-safety systems in healthcare facilities.

PIMS is a major tertiary-care healthcare complex with dedicated children’s and mother-and-child facilities, including neonatal services.

The resolution seeks to ensure that hospitals are better equipped to respond to fires and other emergencies, with effective safety procedures capable of protecting patients who cannot evacuate without assistance.

The lawmakers also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and patience for them as they cope with the devastating loss.

Bipartisan support

The resolution received support from members across party lines and was endorsed by MNAs representing several constituencies, including NA-52, NA-288, NA-321, NA-192, NA-73, NA-297, NA-324, NA-209, NA-282, NA-279 and NA-54.

The unanimous vote reflected the seriousness with which the House viewed the PIMS tragedy.

Beyond condemnation, however, the resolution has placed the focus firmly on accountability and prevention—with lawmakers demanding that the loss of innocent lives lead to concrete improvements in hospital safety rather than remain another tragic episode.