ISLAMABAD, August 28, 2026: Contradictions have emerged between the statements of the health minister and doctors regarding the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad.
The minister said a spark fell from the air conditioner, while a gynaecologist said the spark came from a bundle of wires, not the AC.
Speaking on the programme The Reporters, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Health Mahesh Kumar said that when nurses were questioned, they appeared confused and it seemed they had been taught what answers to give.
He said reports of all three committees should be submitted within 48 hours so that the entire nation can see them. The Standing Committee will examine how much truth the reports contain, he added.
The Standing Committee on Health also visited PIMS hospital. Committee members demanded the resignations of Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and the head of PIMS.
It may be recalled that 14 newborn babies were killed in a fire at the PIMS nursery the previous day, while an aunt managed to rescue one newborn.
Earlier, victims of the PIMS hospital fire spoke to the media and demanded a judicial commission to investigate the incident.
According to sources, the affected families said DNA tests of the children who died in the fire were not conducted.
They said that if such a tragedy had occurred in another country, the entire system would have been shaken.
The victims said those who cannot handle their ministries should step down.
The affected parents said the real issue is that the government has formed a committee to investigate the PIMS incident.
They said bureaucrats are appointed to inquiry committees after every tragedy, but no one is ready to accept the committee formed for the PIMS incident.
The affected parents demanded that a judicial commission should be formed to investigate the PIMS tragedy.
