Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that officials found guilty of criminal negligence over a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) will face no leniency. Sharif issued the warning on Wednesday while chairing an emergency meeting on health-sector affairs and the fire at the Islamabad hospital.

The blaze broke out at around 6:45am on August 26 in the neonatal intensive care unit on the third floor of Pims' Mother and Child Health ward. Fourteen infants died in the fire. The nursery was housing 15 newborns at the time, with only one infant rescued.

Prime Minister Shehbaz directed Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal and Secretary Health Captain (retd) Muhammad Mahmood to ensure their personal presence at Pims on alternate days and personally oversee the implementation of measures aimed at improving the institution.

The prime minister also ordered authorities to ensure improvements in healthcare and treatment facilities at Pims and to strictly implement all necessary safety and security measures. He directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the pace of reforms across the country's health sector.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on matters concerning the health sector, as well as the ongoing investigation into the Pims fire incident. The meeting was informed that directives issued by the prime minister in light of the preliminary investigation report were being implemented.

Sources privy to the matter had said that the initial inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pims nursery revealed that the hospital's treatment and facilities fell below global standards. The sources, on August 29, had said that the report, submitted to the premier, also identified the causes of the incident and determined those responsible for the tragedy.

The inquiry committee had recommended removing Pims' executive director along with all heads of departments from their posts, sources had added.