‘Nothing at PIMS Hospital Meets International Standards’: Inquiry Report

ISLAMABAD: The preliminary inquiry report into the tragic fire at the nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad has been prepared and submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, identifying serious deficiencies in medical care and fire safety facilities at the hospital.

According to media reports, the report was prepared by an inquiry committee headed by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan. The committee submitted the report to the office of Prime Minister’s Adviser Tauqeer Shah, who subsequently forwarded it to the prime minister.

The report, signed by all members of the inquiry committee, states that the medical treatment and fire safety arrangements at PIMS were severely inadequate. It noted that none of the safety arrangements at the hospital met international standards.

The inquiry committee has recommended strict legal and administrative action against staff members found absent at the time of the incident and those responsible for negligence.

Following the submission of the preliminary report, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned an emergency meeting to conduct a high-level review of the incident.

The meeting, chaired by the prime minister, is scheduled to be held this evening and will be attended by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, key federal ministers, the health secretary and other senior officials.

During the meeting, the prime minister will receive a detailed briefing on the preliminary findings of the inquiry committee headed by Shahid Khan. The meeting will also review, point by point, the responsibility of officials allegedly found negligent in the incident.

Important decisions are expected regarding the PIMS administration and senior officials found responsible for negligence, including possible removal from their positions in light of the inquiry report.

The authority to make the inquiry report public rests with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.