PIMS fire probe committee to submit final report today

ISLAMABAD: The inquiry into the tragic fire incident at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has entered its final stage.

The inquiry committee formed on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will submit its final report today.

The committee was tasked with determining the causes of the fire. It was also asked to identify any negligence or administrative failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has also taken up the issue of fire safety at PIMS. The authority has once again written to the relevant authorities regarding fire safety arrangements at the hospital.

The letters have stressed the need to ensure proper fire prevention and emergency response arrangements at the hospital.

Meanwhile, a petition seeking the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the PIMS tragedy has been filed before the Islamabad High Court.

The petitioner has called for an independent investigation into the incident. The move comes amid growing questions about the circumstances that led to the fire and the response of hospital authorities.

The PIMS administration has also formed a separate inquiry committee. The hospital’s committee is conducting its own investigation alongside the committee constituted by the prime minister.

The inquiry process continued on Thursday.

The committee took possession of CCTV footage from the hospital’s nursery. The footage is considered important for determining what happened before and during the fire.

The committee also recorded statements from PIMS employees. Officials and staff members present at the hospital were questioned about the incident and the emergency response.

Reports prepared by the fire brigade were also examined.

The committee reviewed reports from the emergency department as well. The purpose was to establish the sequence of events and assess the response after the fire broke out.

The tragedy has also been discussed by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Health.

The committee expressed serious concern over the incident. Members questioned the performance of doctors and other staff members who were on duty when the fire occurred.

The committee called for the suspension of the doctors and staff members who were on duty at the time of the incident.

It also demanded the resignation of Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal.

The demands came amid growing criticism over the handling of the incident and questions about safety arrangements at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahesh Kumar also visited PIMS and inspected the hospital following the tragedy.

He raised serious questions about the explanation given regarding the cause of the fire.

Dr Mahesh said officials had initially claimed that the fire started because of an air conditioner.

However, he said a different situation emerged during the subsequent investigation.

According to Dr Mahesh, it was later discovered that the air conditioner was not even operating at the time of the incident.

He questioned how the air conditioner could have caused the fire if it was not switched on.

Dr Mahesh also expressed doubts about the statements given by the hospital’s nursing staff.

He suggested that the nurses may have been given a common version of events.

His remarks have added to the questions surrounding the investigation and the actual cause of the fire.

The inquiry committees are now examining CCTV footage, staff statements and official reports.

They are also looking into the hospital’s fire safety arrangements and emergency response.

The final report of the prime minister’s committee is expected to provide details about the cause of the fire.