Inquiry findings will clarify PIMS fire circumstances, says health minister

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that an inquiry committee, established by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will soon provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding a devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). The blaze tragically claimed the lives of 14 infants in the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre.

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Let us wait for the report of the prime minister’s inquiry committee.

Kamal made these remarks after visiting the children's ward at Pims with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. They reviewed hospital facilities and received a briefing on patient care. The minister emphasized that the government awaits the committee's report to determine responsibility for the fire, which erupted Wednesday morning. Initial reports suggest a spark in the nursery rapidly escalated due to oxygen points, leading to a massive fire and ceiling collapse.

While the hospital administration and government dispute claims of delayed emergency services and locked doors, witnesses described a chaotic scene with delayed response and forced window-smashing to reach the affected ward. Prime Minister Sharif has already removed the federal Health Secretary, Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, pending the investigation.

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Let the investigation be completed. I have already taken action beyond what they are thinking.

Kamal described the health system as "rotten" and called the Pims deaths a catalyst for much-needed reforms. Both the Senate and National Assembly have called for impartial inquiries and strict action against negligence. The government has announced compensation of Rs5 million for each affected family, but the tragedy has ignited widespread outrage and demands for accountability.

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Let us wait for the report of the prime minister’s inquiry committee.