PIMS Nursery Fire: Interim Inquiry Report Implemented, Executive Director Among 8 Officers Suspended; Criminal Proceedings Ordered

ISLAMABAD (Report: Aasi) — The interim report of the inquiry committee constituted to investigate the tragic fire that broke out in the nursery of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Department at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, on August 26, 2026, has been submitted to the Prime Minister, following which the Prime Minister’s Office has issued directives for immediate implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

According to the inquiry committee, CCTV footage established that the fire broke out at approximately 6:38am and within just two minutes the entire nursery was engulfed in smoke. Charge Nurse Nasreen, security guard Maria, staff nurse Raziya and Dr Abdul Rehman immediately took part in rescue efforts. However, due to the intensity of the fire, only one newborn could be rescued in time.

The report states that the exact technical cause of the fire has not yet been conclusively established. An air conditioner, incubator/warmer or electrical short circuit have been identified as possible causes. However, according to IESCO records, no fault was detected in the external feeder, shifting the focus of the investigation towards the internal electrical installations of PIMS.

The committee has made several serious observations, including the locking or obstruction of emergency exits, delays in notifying emergency and rescue services, and failure to implement recommendations issued following a fire at the nursing hostel in July 2026.

The report notes that emergency doors had to be forcibly opened, indicating serious negligence in fire-safety arrangements and emergency preparedness.

Eight officers suspended

In accordance with the Prime Minister’s directives and on the recommendations of the inquiry committee, the following eight officials have been suspended and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them:

– Professor Dr Imran Sikandar — Executive Director, PIMS
– Professor Dr Saadia Riaz — Head of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital
– Dr Naghma — Senior Registrar, Department of Neonatology
– Dr Matahir Shah — Joint Executive Director, MCH
– Chaudhry Waris Ali Raza — Joint Executive Director (Non-Medical)
– Dr Nosheela Amjad — Director, MCH
– Dr Abdul Rehman — Director General, Capital Emergency Service (CES)
– Muhammad Usman — Assistant Director, Security

In addition, Charge Nurse Nasreen and security guard Maria have been removed from duty until submission of the final inquiry report.

Investigative agencies have also been directed to initiate criminal proceedings against those found responsible.

Security company faces legal action

Legal action has also been ordered against M/s Belfort Security, the security contractor, over alleged violations of its contractual obligations. The company’s licence has been ordered to be reviewed in accordance with the relevant rules.

Rs100 million reward for nurse who rescued newborn

Meanwhile, the inquiry committee has recommended a cash reward of Rs100 million and a suitable civil award for Staff Nurse Raziya, who risked her own life during the blaze and succeeded in rescuing the only newborn who survived the incident.

New PIMS Executive Director appointed

As part of the administrative changes, Dr Muhammad Salman, Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health (NIH), has been appointed Executive Director of PIMS with immediate effect. He will also continue to hold the additional charge of CEO of NIH.

The inquiry committee has clarified that the exact source of the fire — described as the “first spark” — remains undetermined. However, serious institutional failures in fire safety and emergency preparedness have been established, particularly given that similar deficiencies had reportedly been identified only seven weeks earlier.

The committee said that final responsibility would be determined in its comprehensive final report. The government has also ordered that the interim inquiry report be made publicly available on the website of the National Health Services Division.

The inquiry committee is headed by Shahid Khan, former Federal Secretary. Its members include Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, Establishment Secretary Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan, and Major General (Retd.) Dr Khursheed Atra.