PIMS nursery fire probe lands on PM’s desk, disciplinary action recommended

ISLAMABAD: The preliminary inquiry into the fire that broke out in the nursery ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the investigation report highlighting alleged administrative failures, staff shortages and serious shortcomings in fire-safety arrangements.

Sources familiar with the development told The Minute Mirror that the inquiry committee, headed by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, completed its initial fact-finding exercise and submitted the report late at night at the office of Prime Minister’s Adviser Tauqir Shah.

According to the sources, Tauqir Shah subsequently forwarded the report to the prime minister and briefed him on its major findings and recommendations.

The inquiry has reportedly identified several failures that investigators believe contributed to the severity of the incident. These include weaknesses in hospital administration, shortcomings in emergency-response procedures and the absence of key personnel at the time of the fire.

The report also raises concerns over fire-safety infrastructure and construction-related deficiencies. Sources said the committee found that available safety equipment and evacuation arrangements were inadequate for the requirements of the nursery ward.

A source familiar with the inquiry told The Minute Mirror that the committee considered the incident preventable, citing a combination of staffing problems and ineffective safety arrangements as major contributing factors.

The report has also proposed disciplinary proceedings against officials and individuals found responsible for negligence. The recommendations have reportedly been formally incorporated into the interim findings submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office.

An official familiar with the process said the fact-finding phase had been completed and the relevant evidence and recommendations had been placed before the government for further action.

The Prime Minister has also been given the authority to determine whether and when the inquiry report should be made public. The decision will include the timing and extent of any disclosure of the findings.

The PIMS nursery fire triggered widespread concern over patient safety and emergency preparedness at public-sector hospitals. Following the incident, the federal government constituted an inquiry committee to establish responsibility, examine institutional failures and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The submission of the preliminary report now places responsibility for the next phase of action with the Prime Minister’s Office. Disciplinary proceedings and possible reforms are expected to follow once the recommendations are reviewed and approved.

Further developments are awaited regarding implementation of the inquiry’s recommendations and the possible public release of the report.