Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the immediate suspension and criminal proceedings against eight people named in the interim inquiry into the deadly fire at the gynaecology ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), which claimed the lives of 14 infants.

Those facing action include Pims Executive Director Prof. Dr. Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr. Mutahir Shah and Dr. Owais Ali Shah, and other senior officials, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

The tragic incident sparked widespread outrage across the country, prompting the federal government to launch an immediate high-level investigation to determine the causes and fix responsibility for the severe administrative negligence.

This is a developing story and is being continuously updated with further details regarding the ongoing legal proceedings and administrative restructuring at the medical facility.