An interim inquiry report into the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) that killed 14 newborns has said the precise source of ignition remains technically unresolved, but cleared frontline clinical staff of abandoning the infants, stating that CCTV evidence showed immediate rescue attempts were made. The Minister of Information and Broadcasting issued the interim report, prepared by a four-member committee constituted to probe the deadly fire at the Pims gynaecology ward.

The committee, in its report, said the fire became visibly apparent at approximately 6:38 am on August 26 and developed with extraordinary rapidity, rendering the nursery environment substantially smoke-engulfed within approximately two minutes. The objective CCTV evidence does not support a generalised finding that frontline clinical staff abandoned the newborns, the report stated, though the exact ignition source remains technically unresolved.

The committee recommended the immediate suspension of Prof. Dr. Sadia Riaz, Head of the Department of Neonatology at Children Hospital Pims, and Dr. Nagham, Senior Registrar, for failing to ensure the presence of qualified healthcare professionals and for absenting themselves from duty at the material time. It also noted that Pims had experienced another fire only seven weeks earlier, yet the administration failed to implement required safety drills and standard operating procedures.

Furthermore, the committee recommended disciplinary action against key administrative figures including Executive Director Prof. Dr. Imran Sikandar under the E&D Rules 2020. It also held the Capital Emergency Service responsible for failing to press for systemic safety corrections at the hospital following previous safety hazards.