PIMS Hospital Newborn Deaths: PM Chairs Emergency Meeting, Suspends Health Secretary

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level emergency meeting following the tragic fire at the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, which resulted in the deaths of several newborn babies. The Prime Minister expressed severe displeasure over the alleged negligence of concerned officials during the session.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister immediately suspended Federal Secretary Health Aslam Ghouri and directed him to leave the meeting. He also constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident, headed by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, with Establishment Secretary Dr. Barrister Naveel Awan among the other members.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (No. 310/2026), PM Shehbaz Sharif offered heartfelt condolences to the parents of the innocent newborns who lost their lives in the devastating nursery fire at PIMS. “Our hearts are grieved by this tragic incident. We share equally in the parents’ grief. May Allah Almighty grant the bereaved families patience and strength,” the Prime Minister said.
Per the press release, the high-level committee has begun its investigation to determine responsibility for the incident and to recommend measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.