ISLAMABAD (National Times) Fourteen newborn babies were killed in a devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, as a preliminary hospital report, a Capital Development Authority (CDA) Fire Brigade report and conflicting official and eyewitness accounts raised serious concerns over fire safety, emergency preparedness and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Fire Breaks Out in Neonatal Unit
The fire broke out at around 6:38 a.m. in the nursery of PIMS’s Mother and Child Health Centre, according to the hospital administration.
PIMS officials said an initial assessment indicated that a spark inside the nursery rapidly developed into an intense fire within seconds. The hospital’s preliminary report said an oxygen-related component attached to an incubator caught fire, causing oxygen to ignite.
The report said the fire initially remained limited but spread rapidly. Smoke entered the infants’ breathing system through pipes, while the babies died from a combination of oxygen disruption and burns, according to the preliminary assessment.
The hospital administration said that at 6:39 a.m., an explosion occurred, causing parts of the ceiling to collapse. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fourteen Newborns Die
According to hospital officials, 15 newborn babies were inside the nursery when the fire broke out. One baby was rescued alive, while 14 newborns died.
The administration said two doctors and two nurses immediately began rescue efforts, while security personnel also joined the operation. Staff reportedly made two attempts to enter the nursery to evacuate the infants.
The hospital said four babies were safely removed from an adjoining room by the Youth Team staff during the rescue operation. Three mothers were also moved to a safe location, while 73 patients from the gynaecology ward on the same floor were evacuated within minutes.
The hospital administration expressed condolences to the families who lost their newborn children.
CDA Fire Brigade Report Finds Safety Shortcomings
A report prepared by the CDA Fire Brigade Department has identified significant shortcomings in fire prevention and life-safety arrangements at PIMS.
According to the report, fire-safety arrangements at the hospital did not meet prescribed standards. It said emergency exits were permanently blocked from the outside and that obstructions were present along evacuation routes.
The report also stated that PIMS security personnel initially obstructed firefighters during their response and that arrangements for controlling crowds at the scene were inadequate.
The CDA Fire Brigade report, however, stated that its first fire vehicle reached PIMS within six minutes of the emergency call.
Earlier rescue sources had reported that there was no water available at the fire point, that fire hoses lacked proper couplings and that emergency evacuation routes were locked. Rescue sources also alleged that no doctor, ward attendant or other staff member was present in the incubation centre when the fire occurred.
These claims contrast with the hospital administration’s account that doctors, nurses and security personnel participated in the rescue operation.
PIMS Administration Gives Its Account
In its official statement, PIMS said the fire broke out at 6:38 a.m. and that staff immediately began rescue efforts.
The administration said 35 fire extinguishers installed at PIMS were used to control the fire and maintained that all emergency exits were fully open and operational.
The hospital’s account differs from findings cited in the CDA Fire Brigade report, which identified blocked emergency routes and other shortcomings in fire-safety arrangements.
The conflicting accounts are expected to be examined by the inquiry committee investigating the incident.
Health Minister Presents CCTV Timeline
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, speaking outside PIMS, said CCTV footage showed a spark near an air-conditioning unit at 6:38 a.m., followed by people running from the area at 6:39 a.m.
He said no evidence would be concealed and that the complete facts would emerge through the investigation.
Mustafa Kamal said he had presented himself before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accountability and that the prime minister, whom he described as his superior, would decide what action should be taken regarding his position.
Asked about calls for his resignation, the minister said he had placed himself before the prime minister for accountability.
He said anyone found responsible for failing to perform their duties would not be spared and expected the inquiry report within two to three days.
The minister also said security guards were deployed at an evacuation door around the clock because the same access point had previously been associated with concerns over newborns being stolen.
Government Forms Inquiry Committee
The hospital administration said an eight-member inquiry committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, had been formed to determine the causes of the fire.
The committee is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the fire, the hospital’s safety arrangements and the response to the emergency.
The CDA Fire Brigade report and the PIMS preliminary report are expected to form part of the broader investigation into the incident.
Previous PIMS Fire Raises Further Concerns
Documents have also revealed that PIMS experienced another fire incident only one month earlier, on July 6.
According to the documents, a fire broke out at around 3 a.m. in the reception area of the PIMS nursing hostel. Three sofas were destroyed, while 78 female students residing in the hostel remained safe and no casualties were reported.
The earlier fire investigation could not establish the definitive cause because electrical and forensic reports were reportedly unavailable.
The documents further stated that the hostel had no CCTV cameras, fire alarm system or emergency plan at the time.
Following that incident, a committee recommended departmental action against the hostel warden and security personnel, while disciplinary action was also taken against lower-level staff.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, however, said he was unaware of the July 6 PIMS hostel fire when questioned about the earlier incident.
PPP Demands Health Minister’s Resignation
The Pakistan Peoples Party has demanded the resignation of Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal over the deaths of the newborns.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and described the deaths of 14 newborns as an extremely grave human tragedy. He said grieving fathers were seeking justice and that mothers did not carry their children for nine months only to lose them because of negligence.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, speaking to the media at PIMS, alleged that there was no water in fire tanks, doctors were absent and gates were closed. She said the PPP had not come to PIMS for politics but had a responsibility to ask questions about the incident.
She said the responsible minister should resign voluntarily.
PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari said removing one secretary from office was not enough and questioned the performance of the federal health ministry, saying it was responsible for overseeing PIMS and other federal hospitals.
Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed also described the deaths as more than an accident, calling them a serious failure of the federal healthcare system and administrative negligence. She said the federal health minister should accept responsibility.
Minister Says Those Responsible Will Not Be Spared
Mustafa Kamal rejected any suggestion that the government would shield those responsible.
He said he had travelled directly from the airport to the hospital and would go from PIMS to meet the prime minister.
The minister said investigations were underway and that the evidence, including CCTV footage, would be examined. He maintained that anyone found to have failed in their responsibilities would face action.
PIMS MCH Centre Budget Exceeds Rs1 Billion
The tragedy has also drawn attention to the budget allocated to the PIMS Mother and Child Health Care Centre.
Budget documents show that Rs1.0694 billion has been allocated to the centre for the 2026-27 financial year, compared with Rs855.6 million in the previous financial year.
The documents allocate Rs11 million for repair and maintenance, while Rs7 million has been earmarked for machinery and equipment and Rs4 million for the building and structure.
The centre’s employees have been allocated Rs356.9 million in salaries, including Rs200 million for officers and Rs156.5 million for other staff.
A further Rs332.7 million has been allocated for employee allowances, while operating expenses have been allocated Rs270 million.
The budget also includes Rs6 million for pensions of retired employees, Rs8.5 million for scholarships and Rs6 million for stores, stock, plant and machinery.
First Lady Calls for Transparent Investigation
First Lady and Member of the National Assembly Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari expressed profound grief over the deaths.
According to the President’s Press Wing, she described the loss of innocent newborn lives as deeply heartbreaking and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
She called for a complete, immediate and transparent investigation and urged authorities to improve hospital systems and take all necessary measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
President and UNICEF Express Grief
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences to the families who lost their newborn children and called for accountability if negligence is established.
UNICEF Pakistan expressed deep sadness over the deaths and called for an urgent review and strengthening of fire-prevention and safety standards in health facilities.
Investigation Underway
The government investigation will now have to reconcile the different accounts surrounding the fire, including the hospital’s preliminary findings, the CDA Fire Brigade report, rescue-service accounts, CCTV footage and statements from hospital officials and families.
The inquiry is expected to establish the exact cause of the fire, assess the condition of fire-safety and emergency systems at PIMS, determine how the evacuation was conducted and establish whether any administrative, technical, staffing or safety failures contributed to the deaths of the 14 newborns.
Authorities are also expected to establish a verified record of the infants present in the nursery and the circumstances surrounding each death.
