'Heads must roll': Politicians, journalists demand accountability as Pims fire claims lives of 14 infants

A devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad claimed the lives of 14 infants on Wednesday morning, sparking outrage and calls for accountability from politicians and journalists. The incident occurred around 6:45 AM in the gynaecology ward, reportedly ignited by an air conditioner blast.

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This is beyond shocking. This is a deep stain of shame on the entire ministry and the rot within.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded swiftly by removing the federal health secretary as an inquiry into the tragedy was launched. However, this action did little to quell the public outcry. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Sherry Rehman described the incident as "beyond shocking" and a "deep stain of shame on the entire ministry and the rot within." She questioned the safety standards of the federal capital's premier public hospital, demanding justice for the lost lives.

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This is where citizens are sent to heal in the federal capital?

Former finance minister Miftah Ismail echoed these sentiments, calling for a "full investigation and accountability." He characterized the event as "criminal negligence" and asserted that "heads must roll." Journalist Fahd Husain went further, labeling the fire not just a tragedy but a crime resulting from "atrocious governance, criminal apathy and inefficient government machinery." He criticized official expressions of grief as adding "salt [in the] the wounds."

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There should be full investigation and accountability and heads must roll.

Other political figures, including Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, also demanded a high-level investigation, emphasizing that the incident was preventable with better management and oversight. Khokhar stated that the Prime Minister's notice was "simply not enough." Allama Raja Nasir Abbas urged that the tragedy not be "dismissed as a mere accident and ignored," calling for transparency and accountability for hospital administration and relevant authorities. PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqui joined the chorus, calling for the health minister's immediate resignation, questioning the existence of political and moral responsibility.

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This is not just a tragedy but a crime committed by all those who are entrusted with running the hospital and their bosses.