ISLAMABAD: An interim inquiry into the deadly fire at the Mother and Child Hospital/Nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has exposed serious shortcomings in fire safety, emergency preparedness and administrative oversight, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order suspension of several senior officials and disciplinary proceedings against those responsible.
The inquiry committee, constituted following the August 26 fire incident, submitted its interim report on August 28 after examining CCTV footage, architectural, electrical, biomedical and maintenance records, security reports, staff statements and records of an earlier fire incident at PIMS. The committee made clear that its findings are interim and final individual and criminal responsibility will be determined through further investigation.
According to the report, CCTV footage showed the first visible emergency at approximately 6:38:15 am, after which smoke rapidly increased and the situation deteriorated catastrophically within around two minutes. The precise technical source of ignition, however, has not yet been conclusively established. Various possibilities, including an AC, incubator or warmer, electrical short circuit, socket, plug or overloading, have been mentioned, but the committee said forensic examination would be required for a definitive finding.
The inquiry found that medical, nursing and security personnel responded and attempted rescue operations. The available evidence, according to the committee, did not support generalized allegations that frontline medical and nursing staff simply abandoned the newborns. Individual responsibility, however, remains subject to further investigation.
Serious concerns were raised over the hospital's fire-safety arrangements. The committee found no demonstrated approved, communicated, trained and rehearsed MCH/Nursery-specific fire and neonatal evacuation SOP and identified concerns relating to locked or obstructed exits, inadequate fire and life-safety arrangements and difficulties in accessing emergency exits.
The report assumes added significance because another fire had occurred at the PIMS Female Nursing Hostel on July 6, only about seven weeks earlier. That incident had already exposed shortcomings in smoke detection, automatic alarms, emergency warning mechanisms, evacuation drills and fire-safety arrangements. The committee noted that on August 25, just one day before the fatal Nursery fire, the earlier inquiry was still being returned for revision because it had not adequately addressed its Terms of Reference.
The committee also identified a potentially serious gap in emergency notification. CCTV showed the emergency at around 6:38 am, while Capital Emergency Service records showed receipt of the first emergency call at approximately 6:54 am. It cautioned that this cannot yet be treated as a confirmed 16-minute delay because CCTV and call-record timings require synchronization and verification.
Acting on the interim findings, the Prime Minister ordered suspension and disciplinary proceedings against PIMS Executive Director Prof. Dr. Imran Sikandar; Prof. Dr. Sadia Riaz, Head of Neonatology, Children Hospital PIMS; Dr. Nagham, Senior Registrar, Neonatology Department PIMS; Dr. Mutahir Shah, Joint Executive Director MCH; Ch. Waris Ali Raza, Joint Executive Director Non-Medical PIMS; Dr. Nosheela Amjad, Director MCH; Dr. Abdul Rehman, Director General, Capital Emergency Service, CDA; and Muhammad Usman, Assistant Director Security.
The Prime Minister also directed initiation of disciplinary proceedings against all responsible persons and replacement of the officer in charge of MCH security. A staff nurse who risked her life to evacuate the only surviving baby will be given a financial reward of Rs100,000.
The government has further ordered a review of the contract with M/s Belfort Security, including its financial and contractual obligations, while relevant authorities have been asked to review the firm's licence. Dr. Muhammad Salman, CEO of the National Institute of Health, has been ordered to be transferred and posted as Executive Director PIMS on deputation until further orders, while retaining additional charge of CEO NIH until alternative arrangements are made.
The inquiry committee called for immediate corrective measures without waiting for completion of the comprehensive investigation, including functional fire detection and alarm systems, extinguishers, hydrants, emergency lighting, electrical protection, unobstructed emergency exits, functioning fire doors, staff training and regular fire drills.
The interim report concluded that while the exact source of ignition remains technically unresolved, available evidence points to significant institutional deficiencies in fire and life safety, emergency preparedness and administrative oversight. It said final criminal culpability should be determined by the competent investigating and judicial authorities.
