PIMS Hero Nurse Razia Noreen Reacts Emotionally to National Award

Nurse Razia Noreen, who was awarded the Sitara-e-Khidmat for her bravery during the PIMS fire, has reacted emotionally to the honour. In recent media appearances, she expressed her grief over the tragedy, stating that the memory of the infants who died in the fire continues to haunt her.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the Sitara-e-Khidmat and a cash reward of Rs 10 million for nurse Razia Noreen for her bravery in saving a child's life during the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). In a statement on Saturday, the prime minister praised her sense of duty and courage.

The premier also directed that the interim inquiry report into the tragedy be made public immediately. It was also decided that a nurse and a female guard who were on duty in the ward would be made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) pending further investigation.

An inquiry into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has identified the eight officials suspended on the orders of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Criminal proceedings have also been ordered against them.

Those suspended include PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Owais Ali Shah, Neonatal Department head Professor Dr Saadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr Naghma, Dr Nosheela Amjad, Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman, and CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr Abdul Rehman.

The inquiry report highlighted severe safety failures, noting the neonatal ward lacked a fire alarm, automatic sprinklers, a dedicated fire-safety officer, and proper emergency procedures. At the time of the fire, no supervisory staff were reportedly present in the ward. The government has also approved action against the private security company at PIMS.

Following the suspensions, NIH CEO Dr Muhammad Salman has been appointed as the acting executive director of the hospital.

On August 29, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the suspension of eight officials in connection with the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

The action was taken based on the recommendations of an inquiry committee's final report into the incident, which claimed the lives of 14 infants.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting in Lahore to address the PIMS hospital fire tragedy, after which a decision was made to file criminal cases against those found responsible.

According to available reports, the meeting also decided on taking action against at least six officials in connection with the incident that resulted in the deaths of 14 infants. The investigation is also reportedly examining CCTV footage from the hospital.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Saturday to meet with the families of the infants who died in a recent fire.

The ministers conveyed condolences from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and expressed their own sorrow over the incident. Mr Kamal described the loss as an "extremely tragic and heartbreaking incident".

Following the hospital visit, the ministers went to the home of an affected family in Rawalpindi. On behalf of the government, Mr Kamal presented cheques worth Rs 5 million each to two bereaved families. He stated that while the financial assistance cannot compensate for the loss of life, the government and the nation stand with the families in their grief.

The health minister said the government is awaiting the full report from the inquiry committee formed by the prime minister, which he said would clarify the circumstances surrounding the fire.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, accompanied by Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Saturday, August 29, in the wake of the deadly fire.

The visit comes as an initial inquiry report into the incident, which claimed the lives of 14 infants, has reportedly identified those responsible and recommended the removal of several officials.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting in Lahore on Saturday evening, August 29, to review the interim inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

Following the submission of an inquiry report into the deadly PIMS hospital fire, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a high-level meeting to review the findings and decide on further action. The development comes as reports indicate the inquiry committee has recommended the removal of 10 officials in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party has demanded that the inquiry report be made public. Federal Minister for Climate Change, Musadik Malik, also voiced strong criticism, describing the deaths of 14 infants as a systemic failure. "When I saw 14 bodies, I realised that I am not safe, that the country is not safe," he stated, questioning how no staff members were injured while the children perished.

In a related visit, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and Minister of State Tariq Fazal Chaudhry went to the hospital as the political and administrative fallout from the tragedy continues.

The Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has reportedly resigned in the wake of an inquiry into a deadly fire at the hospital's maternity ward. The development on August 29 comes as new reports allege that some staff members were engaged in a TikTok live stream when the fire broke out, which claimed the lives of 14 infants. Following the submission of the initial inquiry report, which found staff negligence and inadequate facilities, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also said to be taking further significant action.

Further details have emerged from the initial inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which has been submitted to the Prime Minister. The report, which has not yet been made public, found that medical and fire-safety facilities at the hospital were inadequate and did not meet international standards.

The inquiry committee, headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan, has recommended strict action against staff members who were found to be absent from their duties at the time of the incident.

The findings also highlighted difficulties faced by rescue teams during the emergency response. An earlier report by the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) fire department had also alleged that a fire exit at the hospital was locked and that security personnel had obstructed the initial response of fire brigade teams.

The inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), submitted to the Prime Minister on August 29, has recommended immediate punishment for those found responsible for the tragedy.

The initial inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) was formally submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after being delivered to his advisor, Tauqir Shah, sources confirmed on Friday.

The report, prepared by a committee headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan, reportedly includes interviews with hospital administration, doctors, and fire brigade teams. According to available details, a key finding states that facilities at the hospital are severely lacking, with one source quoting the report as saying "nothing is up to international standards."

The committee has reportedly determined the causes of the fire and identified those responsible, recommending immediate action. The authority to make the report's findings public now rests with the prime minister.

An initial inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has identified major gaps in the hospital's facilities and recommended disciplinary action against employees found absent during the incident. The report was prepared by a committee headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan and has been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to sources, the report highlights difficulties faced by rescue teams during the emergency and raises concerns that treatment facilities and essential services at the hospital do not meet international standards. The committee has recommended immediate action against those held responsible for the identified shortcomings.

The report, which has been signed by all committee members, also includes proposals to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Prime Minister will decide whether to make the findings public.

An initial fact-finding report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The development comes three days after the blaze in the hospital's maternity ward claimed the lives of 14 infants.

A high-level team visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Friday, August 29, to investigate the deadly fire that claimed the lives of 14 infants.

The visit is part of multiple inquiries underway into the tragedy, which an initial probe has blamed on staff negligence and inadequate fire-safety measures.

In the wake of the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), hospital administration has canceled all holidays for staff. A high-level inspection team is also scheduled to visit the facility to further investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, emerging reports on the rescue operation suggest that emergency teams were forced to break down walls to access the affected areas.

In a heartbreaking development following the PIMS hospital fire, the body of one of the 14 infant victims, which remained unclaimed, has been handed over to the Edhi Centre.

Meanwhile, during a heated debate in the National Assembly on Friday, opposition lawmakers heavily criticised the government's handling of the tragedy. PPP MNA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf questioned the official explanation for the nursery doors being locked, asking, “Were 14 children effectively left to die in the name of protecting them from being stolen?” He called for a parliamentary committee headed by the Speaker to investigate.

Dr. Amjad Ali Khan of the PTI alleged that the incident was a symptom of deeper systemic failures, claiming that no hospital in Islamabad currently holds a valid licence and that regulatory mechanisms are dysfunctional.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a financial assistance package for the families of the victims of the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

The federal government has reportedly taken responsibility for the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, which resulted in the deaths of 14 infants.

This development comes amid an ongoing investigation into the tragedy and growing questions about hospital safety standards and the initial emergency response.

The investigation into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) is facing new questions and delays, as an inquiry report has reportedly not been released 48 hours after the incident.

Serious concerns have also been raised about the composition of the Prime Minister’s investigation committee, which allegedly does not include a fire expert. Furthermore, new allegations have surfaced regarding the emergency response, with reports claiming that fire brigade personnel were stopped from entering by security guards and that an emergency door was closed during the blaze.

A high-level inspection team is scheduled to visit the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Saturday, August 29, in the wake of the deadly fire in the hospital's maternity ward. In an official circular, PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikandar announced the cancellation of all leave for heads of departments, instructing them to ensure their presence and have all relevant records ready for the inspection.

The visit comes as new reports suggest that pumps in the hospital's medical gas department were found to be faulty. Meanwhile, public protests have continued, with demonstrators demanding accountability and calling the incident "murder, not an accident."

A parliamentary committee will be formed to investigate the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), following a unanimous resolution passed in the National Assembly and the Senate on Friday.

The development came as new reports alleged that the hospital did not possess a valid fire safety No-Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of the incident. Questions have also been raised about why the doors to the maternity ward were reportedly closed during the fire, which claimed the lives of 14 infants.

The investigation committee probing the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) was set to submit its report to the prime minister on Friday, August 28. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar assured the public that all recommendations in the report would be implemented.

In a related development, both the National Assembly and the Senate passed a unanimous resolution concerning the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 14 infants. Meanwhile, new reports have emerged alleging that a warning about fire safety risks sent to the hospital administration two months before the incident was ignored. Other reports claimed that some hospital staff were absent during the fire.

The political fallout from the PIMS hospital fire tragedy intensified on Friday, with multiple opposition parties and a government minister expressing dissatisfaction with the official investigation. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has formally expressed its lack of confidence in the government's inquiry committee.

Adding to the pressure, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif demanded an "open inquiry" into the incident. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also strongly reacted, with Barrister Gohar delivering a speech in Parliament questioning the handling of the tragedy and demanding accountability.

Meanwhile, reports indicate a Senate committee has raised "severe questions" regarding the incident, with some reports mentioning a figure of up to 50 child deaths being discussed, a number significantly higher than the officially confirmed 14. The Law Minister has also reportedly made a statement on the matter as calls for a transparent investigation grow.

The inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) is ready and has established negligence on the part of hospital staff and officers, according to available reports on Friday.

The committee, formed by the Prime Minister, was expected to submit its findings on August 28 regarding the incident that claimed the lives of 14 infants.

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has stopped admitting new maternity cases and is shifting patients to other hospitals, following the fire that killed 14 infants. The move comes as a Prime Ministerial inquiry committee is expected to submit its report on the tragedy on Friday, August 28.

According to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the report is expected by the evening. The incident continues to be the subject of heated debate in the National Assembly, where members have reportedly united in their concern over the tragedy. Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has called for a comprehensive review of the entire healthcare system in response to the event.

Following the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that killed 14 infants, financial assistance cheques have been distributed to the affected families, according to reports on August 28.

Work has also reportedly begun on installing new fire safety equipment at the Islamabad hospital. In a separate development, a contempt of court case has been initiated against PIMS Executive Director Dr. Imran.

Meanwhile, an inquiry committee is said to have prepared its interim report on the incident. The political fallout continues, with opposition parties maintaining their demand for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's resignation.

The political fallout from the PIMS hospital fire has escalated, with opposition figures now demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The development comes as an interim report into the tragedy, which was expected within 48 hours, has not yet been submitted.

Heated debates continued in parliament over the incident, which claimed the lives of 14 infants. Opposition politicians including Asad Qaiser, Shandana Gulzar, and Barrister Ali Zafar have been vocal in their criticism, with some framing the event as an exposure of systemic failure.

The political fallout from the PIMS hospital fire has intensified, with several prominent figures weighing in on the tragedy and protests taking place outside the facility. On Friday, Senator Sherry Rehman questioned conflicting reports about the cause of the fire, including claims it originated from an air conditioning unit. Barrister Gohar reiterated his call for a transparent inquiry into the incident.

Amid the heightened tensions, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar appealed for the tragedy not to be politicized. Meanwhile, reports emerged that Mishal Malik was stopped from entering the hospital's children's ward during a protest outside the building.

The National Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a condemnation resolution regarding the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that resulted in the deaths of 14 infants.

During the assembly session, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called for an open investigation into the incident, stating that while compensation has been announced, it can never replace the loss of life. He also urged that the tragedy not be forgotten like previous incidents.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told the house that he has presented himself for accountability over the tragedy.

Opposition members, including Barrister Gohar, questioned the findings of the initial report, specifically demanding to know who was responsible for locking the doors of the nursery during the fire. A leader from the PPP highlighted that the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Meanwhile, the PIMS hospital administration issued its first statement, asserting that doctors should not be held responsible for everything.

In a speech in the Senate regarding the PIMS fire tragedy, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal strongly condemned systemic failures, stating that the "system has completely rotted." He reiterated his vow in the National Assembly that no one found responsible for the incident would escape punishment.

Following the deaths of 14 infants in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has proposed the formation of a joint parliamentary committee to investigate the tragedy. The proposal was made as the hospital's budget and spending came under scrutiny in the wake of the incident.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reportedly called for a meeting with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to discuss the matter. An initial report on the tragedy is expected shortly, with a more detailed report anticipated within seven days.

The National Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution regarding the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that claimed the lives of 14 infants. The resolution came as the cause of death was confirmed to be smoke and carbon monoxide inhalation, according to the executive director of the Pakistan Emergency Management and Operations Response (PEMOR).

During a session of the National Assembly, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal vowed that no one responsible for the tragedy would be spared and called for sweeping reforms in the health sector. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also addressed the assembly, stating that those responsible will be punished, while acknowledging that financial compensation cannot replace the loss of life.

An investigation committee is expected to submit its report on the incident to the Prime Minister.

Addressing the National Assembly regarding the PIMS fire tragedy, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that 1,300 children die every day in Pakistan from various causes.

The minister made the remarks to highlight what he described as a broader national crisis in child and maternal mortality, placing the recent deaths of 14 infants at the Islamabad hospital within a larger context of systemic healthcare challenges.

During his speech, Kamal, who has already accepted responsibility for the PIMS incident, also reportedly said, "I don’t want to respond to anyone," amid the ongoing debate.

The Senate has formed its own committee to investigate the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that killed 14 newborn infants. The development came during a heated session where the tragedy was discussed.

Separately, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar assured Parliament that the report from the government's inquiry committee would be released and its recommendations fully implemented.

Meanwhile, protesters have raised concerns regarding the DNA testing process for identifying the bodies of the deceased infants.

During the Senate debate, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, who has already accepted responsibility for the incident, reportedly faced calls for his resignation. In response, he was quoted as saying, "I have done greater things than this."

The fallout from the PIMS hospital fire continued in the Senate on Friday, where Senator Falak Naz Chitrali levelled serious allegations against the hospital administration and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. During the session, she claimed that when she visited the hospital, security guards pushed her out. She further alleged that the bodies of the deceased infants were handed to their parents in shopping bags and they were told to leave quietly.

Senator Sadia Abbasi also stated that she had opposed the appointment of the current PIMS Executive Director, whom she called influential and the person responsible for the incident, questioning why he had not been suspended or arrested.

Separately, while addressing the National Assembly, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated, “I hold myself responsible for the PIMS tragedy.” Meanwhile, reports have emerged quoting Dr. Rana Imran, suggesting the newborn deaths were not caused by burns.

An interim report by the Prime Minister's investigative committee has found officers and staff at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) negligent in the deadly fire that claimed 14 infants' lives. The initial findings, based on over 30 interviews, revealed significant safety failures.

According to the report, rescue teams faced major obstacles, including locked doors, a lack of on-site technical staff, and inadequate fire-fighting equipment, forcing them to break down walls to enter the nursery. It also determined that hospital staff were not trained to handle such emergencies.

The committee, which was given 48 hours for its initial probe, is expected to submit a detailed report within five days. In separate developments, a petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court seeking the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the tragedy. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Health has demanded the suspension of on-duty staff and the resignation of the Health Minister. Meanwhile, PIMS administration has initiated its own internal inquiry.

An interim report prepared by the Prime Minister's investigative committee on the PIMS hospital fire has been completed, according to reports on August 28. Initial details suggest the report highlights major failures and confirms that safety measures at the facility were incomplete.

The committee was formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to investigate the blaze that killed 14 newborn infants.

Further details emerging from the investigation into the tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) indicate the hospital did not possess a valid Fire Safety No-Objection Certificate (NOC), confirming earlier allegations of major safety lapses.

Meanwhile, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has addressed the matter, urging the public and media to “wait for the investigation report” before drawing conclusions. Multiple inquiries into the incident, which claimed the lives of 14 newborn infants, are currently underway.

Further details emerging from the PIMS hospital fire tragedy suggest the nursery may have been far more crowded than initially believed. Dr. Shazia Sobia, a member of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Health, stated that during a visit she was informed that 40 to 50 infants were present in the nursery, not 15.

Meanwhile, multiple inquiries are now underway. An interim report into the fire is expected to be released today, August 28, and a new safety committee has been formed. The Senate has also announced its own investigation into the incident.

The bodies of the 14 infants who died in the blaze have been handed over to their families and laid to rest. In the aftermath, vigils are being held at the hospital's entrances. Activist Mushaal Mullick, wife of Yasin Malik, staged a sit-in protest outside the children's ward, calling the incident a result of human negligence and demanding the health minister's resignation. Separately, former Advocate General of Islamabad, Jahangir Jadoon, has called for the formation of a judicial commission to ensure a complete inquiry.

More than 39 hours after a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) claimed the lives of 14 infants, the exact cause of the blaze remains undetermined, according to emerging reports. This contradicts earlier statements from officials who had attributed the fire to a spark from an air-conditioning unit in the nursery. The conflicting information adds to the uncertainty surrounding the tragic incident.

Following the deadly fire in its nursery, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has started referring serious gynaecological cases to Polyclinic and other hospitals in Rawalpindi. A senior gynaecologist at the hospital stated that the measure was temporary while the nursery is renovated.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed Federal Health Secretary, Mohammad Mehmood, announced he would begin working from his office at PIMS to directly oversee operations and understand the hospital's problems. He stated his goal was to improve infrastructure and governance.

Separately, PPPP Secretary General Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari called the incident a result of “serious negligence” and demanded a transparent inquiry. He said the parents of the deceased children must be included in the investigation and questioned the presence of gas cylinders in hospital wards.

The death toll in the fire at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has been confirmed as 14 newborn infants. Nineteen other people, including seven children, were rescued from the blaze.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that CCTV footage showed a “spark from the air conditioner fell, and the fire spread within a minute.” He confirmed that while 26 fire extinguishers were used, the ward was not equipped with water sprinklers.

Witnesses have described chaotic scenes, with some alleging that the door to the neonatal intensive care unit was locked and that hospital guards initially prevented people from leaving the building. One father who lost his three-day-old daughter told reporters that rescue teams took hours to arrive.

The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the government's fact-finding committee, describing the incident as a “devastating failure of governance.” The party has demanded accountability at the highest levels and called for compensation to be increased to Rs10 million for each affected family.

Further reports on the PIMS hospital fire have revised the death toll to 15 newborn infants. The blaze reportedly began at 6:45 AM on Wednesday after an air-conditioning compressor exploded in the nursery.

According to available information, 16 newborns were in the room at the time of the fire. One infant was carried out to safety by a doctor who was present.

The incident has drawn comparisons to a fire at Sahiwal Teaching Hospital in June 2024, which also killed 11 newborns and was reportedly triggered by an air-conditioning failure.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the formation of a new investigation committee to probe the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, according to reports on August 27.

The move comes amid intense scrutiny of the hospital's safety protocols, with some reports alleging that the facility did not have a valid Fire Safety No-Objection Certificate (NOC).

The tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 14 newborn infants, continues to generate widespread public anger and calls for accountability from political leaders and the victims' families.

The investigation into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has reportedly yielded initial findings on how the blaze started, according to an investigative committee. The development comes amid growing political fallout and public anger over the deaths of 14 newborn infants.

Protests have taken place outside the hospital, where reports indicate Mishal Malik, wife of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, was prevented from entering the children's ward. Meanwhile, a political debate has ignited over an alleged suppressed report. PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah claimed a report by a "Dr. Amjad" was suppressed, a claim that Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal said he had no knowledge of, clarifying that there is only one official inquiry committee formed by the prime minister.

Political leaders from various parties, including the PTI, PPP, and Jamaat-e-Islami, have called for an impartial investigation and accountability. Questions have also been raised about the hospital's funding, with some reports questioning the use of Rs 22 billion allocated to PIMS over the past three years.

The federal government has announced a compensation package of Rs 5 million for the family of each of the 14 newborn infants who died in the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated on Thursday that an interim report from the Prime Minister's investigative committee will be submitted within 48 hours. He said the independent committee is reviewing CCTV footage and technical aspects of the incident, and that the report would clarify many details.

Reports also indicate the Prime Minister has set a five-day deadline for the completion of the investigation into the tragedy.

Following the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the hospital has reportedly stopped admitting new maternity cases. The development comes as a member of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Health, Dr. Shazia Sobia, claimed that 40 to 50 infants were present in the nursery at the time of the incident, not 15 as previously stated. She also questioned how the bodies of the deceased infants were handed over to families without DNA testing.

Meanwhile, the Senate's Standing Committee on Health has summoned a meeting at the hospital for August 31, with the Ministry of Health, CDA, and Civil Defence officials also called to attend. PTI members of the committee have also been requested to participate.

The Prime Minister's investigative committee has reportedly taken custody of CCTV footage and is collecting written statements from staff, with an interim report expected within 48 hours. In a television appearance, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal evaded direct questions about his potential resignation.

Investigations into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have intensified, with several committees visiting the site on Thursday, August 27. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Health and a separate inquiry committee formed by the Prime Minister both inspected the hospital's nursery where the tragedy occurred.

This comes amid reports alleging that a warning about the hospital's deteriorating condition had been issued two weeks prior to the fire. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has stated that an inquiry report is expected to be released on Friday.

The political response has also broadened, with the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issuing a strong statement on the matter. Meanwhile, reports indicated disagreements between the PPP and PML-N in the Senate regarding the formation of multiple investigative committees.

The deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that killed 14 infants has reached Parliament, with lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) submitting notices in both the National Assembly and the Senate on Thursday.

PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman submitted an adjournment motion in the Senate, calling for routine proceedings to be suspended to allow for a detailed debate. She described the loss of newborn lives as a matter of grave public concern, stating that the "failure of essential safety arrangements at the capital’s central government hospital is unacceptable."

Separately, PPP MNAs Dr Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto, Sehar Kamran, and Shazia Marri submitted calling-attention notices in the National Assembly, seeking an immediate and comprehensive investigation. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also demanded an impartial probe into the tragedy.

Meanwhile, reports indicate the main inquiry committee has been reshuffled, with Professor Dr. Atif appointed as its new chairman. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has also hinted at the possibility of forming another committee to investigate the incident.

Further details emerging from the tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) reveal that one of the 14 infant victims was a two-month-old boy who had been unclaimed at the hospital since his birth.

According to hospital sources, the baby was born on June 21 to a young mother who, along with her family, allegedly left the infant at the hospital after failing to provide marriage documentation. Staff had reportedly named the child 'Ali', and his body remains in the mortuary awaiting legal heirs.

The incident has also exposed a severe staffing crisis across Islamabad's public healthcare system. Official figures show 1,659 medical posts are currently vacant in the capital's government hospitals. PIMS, the city's largest public hospital, is the worst affected, with 949 of its 2,451 sanctioned positions unfilled. The vacancies include 385 doctors, 363 nurses, and 201 paramedical staff.

In response to the tragedy, civil society groups have held protests outside the hospital demanding accountability. Meanwhile, reports indicate that at least three separate inquiry committees have been formed to investigate the incident and determine responsibility. The newly appointed federal health secretary is also reported to be personally overseeing the situation at the hospital.