Summary
- ISLAMABAD: Amid multiple ongoing investigations into the tragic fire at the MCH Nursery, PIMS Hospital has reconstituted its internal inquiry committee to investigate the incident that claimed the lives of 14 children on August 26, 2026.
- QUESTIONS OVER POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST The formation of the internal committee has raised questions, particularly as eight PIMS officers have already been suspended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif following the initial inquiry report.
- A senior government official told Minute Mirror that the formation of an internal committee by the same institution where the incident occurred raises serious questions about a potential conflict of interest.
ISLAMABAD: Amid multiple ongoing investigations into the tragic fire at the MCH Nursery, PIMS Hospital has reconstituted its internal inquiry committee to investigate the incident that claimed the lives of 14 children on August 26, 2026.
Minute Mirror has obtained an official notification dated August 27, 2026, issued by Deputy Executive Director Dr. Aneza Jalil with the approval of the Executive Director, PIMS.
WHAT THE NOTIFICATION SAYS
According to the notification, the previous inquiry committee has been superseded due to the non-availability of Prof. Dr. Qasim Mehmood Buttar. A new four-member committee has been constituted.
Committee Members:
- Prof. Dr. Atif Inam Shami, Professor of General Surgery — Chairman
- Prof. Dr. Altaf Hussain, Professor of ENT — Member
- Prof. Dr. Sajid Rafique Abbasi, Professor of Nephrology — Member
- Dr. Aneza Jalil, Deputy Executive Director — Secretary
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The committee has been tasked with:
- Determining the exact cause of the fire.
- Assessing whether adequate and functional fire-safety measures were in place.
- Evaluating the response time and effectiveness of rescue and firefighting operations.
- Examining any other matter relevant to the incident.
The committee has been directed to submit its report, including fixation of responsibility and clear recommendations, to the Executive Director, PIMS, within 48 hours.
QUESTIONS OVER POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The formation of the internal committee has raised questions, particularly as eight PIMS officers have already been suspended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif following the initial inquiry report. The Prime Minister has also ordered criminal proceedings against those found responsible.
Separately, a high-level federal committee headed by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan is investigating the incident under the Prime Minister’s supervision. Federal Health Secretary Captain (Retd.) Mahmood has also been stationed at PIMS on the Prime Minister’s instructions to investigate the matter.
A senior government official told Minute Mirror that the formation of an internal committee by the same institution where the incident occurred raises serious questions about a potential conflict of interest.
“How can officers from the same institution where the incident occurred investigate their own colleagues?”
The official added that important developments regarding the committee are expected soon.
According to official records, PIMS has received a budget of Rs 22 billion over the last three years.
Document Reference: PIMS Letter dated August 27, 2026
Tags: #PIMS #MCHNursery #Islamabad #FireIncident #ShehbazSharif
