Parliament demands accountability over PIMS nursery fire

Islamabad: The deaths of 14 infants in the PIMS nursery fire triggered a strong response from both houses of Parliament, with lawmakers demanding a complete investigation and criminal action against those found responsible for negligence.

The Senate and National Assembly health committees questioned why a fire spread so quickly in a nursery treating newborn babies and why basic safety arrangements appeared missing or inadequate.

The committees made it clear that the main question was not only how the babies could have been rescued after the fire, but why the nursery was allowed to become so dangerous in the first place.

The National Assembly committee described the incident as a case of possible criminal negligence and demanded an examination of the legal position on registering criminal cases against identified responsible officials.

It was reported that a letter seeking criminal proceedings against eight people identified in connection with the case had been sent to the Ministry of Interior. However, the committee demanded clear information about the action taken against each person and how responsibility had been fixed.

The Senate health committee also unanimously resolved that anyone found responsible for negligence or violation of safety rules would be held accountable and that no responsible person should escape punishment.

The committees raised serious questions about the inquiry already conducted on the directions of the Prime Minister. The National Assembly committee said the preliminary inquiry report had major gaps and demanded the complete findings, records and evidence before the committee.

Lawmakers asked for the cause of death of each of the 14 infants, the number of people inside the nursery when the fire started, CCTV footage, inspection records, equipment records, fire safety audits and details of emergency drills and staff training.

Questions were also raised about the exact source of the fire. Members heard different accounts about an air conditioner, including one suggestion that it may have caused a spark and another that it was not working. The committee said the exact cause had not been clearly established.

The use of portable air conditioners in such a sensitive area was also questioned. Members asked why electrical and medical equipment had not been regularly inspected.

The committees expressed concern over the reported absence or weakness of fire alarms, sprinklers, emergency exits and fire drills.

During its visit to the PIMS nursery, the Senate committee found serious concerns about fire safety arrangements. Members raised questions about the absence of fire alarms and the reported closure of emergency exits.

The committee also objected to construction material placed outside the labour room and ordered the PIMS administration to remove anything blocking hospital wards and access points.

The Federal Minister for Health told the Senate committee that according to the preliminary inquiry, the fire spread in about 120 seconds.

The minister also told the committee about an earlier fire at the PIMS Nursing Hostel in July 2026, saying he had learned about that incident only after the nursery fire and had not been informed earlier.

The presence and readiness of hospital staff also came under question. The Senate committee asked whether enough doctors and other staff were present when the fire started and observed that a stronger staff presence might have helped in moving and saving the infants.

Both committees also raised wider questions about the management of PIMS.

Lawmakers questioned the practice of giving several additional responsibilities to the same officers. The National Assembly committee said one official was reportedly holding as many as nine additional charges and asked how such a person could properly manage so many duties.

Questions were also raised about the appointment and experience of the new Executive Director of PIMS. The health minister acknowledged that PIMS needed major restructuring and said the problems of the institution were too deep to be solved by one person alone.

The committees also criticised weak coordination among the authorities responsible for hospital safety.

The Senate committee expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of the Chairman CDA, Deputy Commissioner and Civil Defence representatives during its proceedings.

The National Assembly committee also expressed grave concern over the absence of the Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad and directed that the relevant officials be called to the next meeting.

The role of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority also came under serious criticism.

The National Assembly committee questioned whether IHRA had properly carried out its legal duty to inspect PIMS and other hospitals in Islamabad. Members asked when the last complete inspection of PIMS had taken place and whether the authority had checked the required safety and health standards.

The Senate committee also questioned why there had reportedly been no IHRA inspection of PIMS for the last two years.

Lawmakers raised questions about the composition and working of the IHRA board and ordered a review of the regulatory system.

The committees said the tragedy showed that Pakistan needs stronger hospital safety rules, better emergency preparation, proper staffing and clear responsibility.

The Senate committee directed the federal health minister to prepare a broad healthcare policy for the country, with special attention to patient safety, fire safety, emergency response and institutional accountability.

The National Assembly committee also proposed independent third party fire, performance, clinical and safety audits of healthcare facilities across Islamabad.

The committees further pointed to shortages of doctors and other healthcare workers, problems in patient management and concerns about the referral of patients to private clinics by doctors.

The Senate committee said it would continue examining the matter, while the National Assembly committee stressed that the goal was not simply to find someone to blame after the tragedy but to answer a basic question: how can the next child be saved?

The tragedy has now become a major test for PIMS and the wider public healthcare system, with both parliamentary committees demanding facts, responsibility and changes to prevent another loss of innocent lives.