The committee will investigate the cause of the PIMS fire, emergency response, fire safety measures and possible negligence, with a full report due within five days.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a high-level inquiry into the PIMS fire, with the federal government notifying a committee to investigate the causes of the incident and determine whether any negligence was involved.
According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, retired federal secretary Shahid Khan has been appointed chairman of the inquiry committee. Maj. Gen. (retd.) Dr. Khurshid Utra, Dr. Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan and the deputy commissioner of Islamabad will serve as members.
The committee’s terms of reference require it to determine the immediate cause of the fire and establish a timeline of the incident.
It will also examine the emergency response and rescue operations carried out by hospital staff, the fire brigade, Rescue 1122 and other relevant agencies.
A key part of the inquiry will focus on the evacuation and transfer of newborn babies, particularly high-risk neonates, and whether emergency standard operating procedures were properly implemented.
The committee will conduct a detailed review of fire safety infrastructure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and assess compliance with applicable safety regulations.
It will also determine responsibility for any negligence or failure by individuals involved in the incident and identify those responsible, according to the notification.
The inquiry body has further been tasked with recommending administrative reforms at PIMS to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
The committee will submit an interim report to the prime minister within 48 hours containing recommendations that can be implemented immediately. A comprehensive report containing the findings of the full investigation and actionable recommendations must be submitted within five days.
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