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Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr. Imran Sikandar, faced harsh questions from journalists during a media briefing following a tragic fire at the hospital\u2019s nursery that claimed the lives of 14 newborns.<\/strong><\/p>\n When questioned about why the main gate and emergency exits of the children\u2019s ward were locked, the PIMS ED responded that the administration did everything it could during the crisis. \u201cLet the inquiry committee complete its report. At the moment, I am going through trauma,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Sikandar was also asked about the fire brigade\u2019s previous advisory to install a fixed fire-extinguishing system and about the empty fire points throughout the facility. He stated that 24 fire cylinders were utilized during the incident, adding, \u201cGovernment facilities always have fire extinguisher cylinders, not water outlets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Regarding the closed emergency exit, he explained that entry to the ward was deliberately restricted due to past incidents of attempted child abductions.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe ED is not responsible for every act, but is responsible for supervision. I believe I provided the correct supervision, which is why the cylinders were available and people responded,\u201d he remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n Although Dr. Sikandar stated that hospital staff were present during the fire, journalists challenged his statement, citing eyewitnesses who reported no staff in the nursery when the fire started.<\/span><\/p>\n Furthermore, although the executive director claimed the rescue operation began immediately, reporters cited allegations that it took rescuers more than two hours to reach the children\u2019s ward.<\/span><\/p>\n Earlier, Riffat Kareem, the aunt of a rescued infant, challenged the PIMS administration\u2019s account of the rescue, asserting that she personally saved her niece during the fire<\/span><\/p>\n She stated that when the fire erupted in the ICU of the gynecology ward at PIMS, a doctor on duty fled the room as soon as the blaze broke out.<\/span><\/p>\n