The initial inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) nursery has revealed that the hospital's treatment facilities fall below global standards, sources said on Saturday. The report, submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also identified the causes of the incident and determined those responsible for the tragedy.
The findings came three days after 14 infants died when a fire broke out at around 6:45am in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward at Pims. The nursery housed 15 newborns at the time, with only one infant rescued. According to sources, the decision to make the inquiry report public rests with the prime minister.
Former interior secretary Shahid Khan, who headed the high-level inquiry committee constituted on the prime minister's directive, submitted the report late on Friday night to the office of PM's Adviser Tauqir Hussain Shah. Shah subsequently forwarded it to PM Shehbaz and briefed him on its key findings and recommendations.
The report recommended immediate action against those held responsible for the incident, along with disciplinary proceedings against relevant Pims staff members who were absent when the fire broke out. The committee also documented difficulties faced by rescue teams during the emergency response and included statements from fire brigade and rescue personnel.