Police Open Criminal Inquiry Into PIMS Fire That Killed 14 Newborns
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Islamabad police have begun an inquiry into the August 26 fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that killed 14 newborns, recording statements from suspended hospital officials following recommendations by a committee appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Sources cited by Express said federal police were examining the tragedy under criminal law and had initiated proceedings under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Karachi Company police have recorded statements from officials named in connection with the inquiry.
The latest development marks the police-investigation stage of a case that has already led to suspensions and departmental proceedings against senior PIMS and related officials.
Police Record Statements From Suspended Officials
According to the September 3 report, police have recorded statements from suspended officials after examining the findings of the prime minister-appointed inquiry committee.
The police action follows Shehbaz’s August 29 order for criminal proceedings against officials identified by the inquiry committee after it submitted its interim findings.
The eight officials named in the government action included then-PIMS executive director Prof Dr Imran Sikandar, neonatology head Prof Dr Sadia Riaz, senior registrar Dr Nagham, joint executive director MCH Dr Mutahir Shah, joint executive director (non-medical) Chaudhry Waris Ali Raza, MCH director Dr Nosheela Amjad, CDA emergency services director general Dr Abdul Rehman, and assistant director security Muhammad Usman.
Their suspension and inclusion in investigative proceedings do not amount to findings of criminal guilt. Any criminal responsibility must be established through the applicable investigative and judicial process.
Interim Report Found Serious Safety Failures
The prime minister-appointed committee’s interim investigation identified major deficiencies in fire safety, emergency preparedness and institutional supervision at the hospital.
The nursery lacked adequate fire alarms and sprinkler systems, while investigators also identified weaknesses in emergency procedures, staff training and the response to the rapidly spreading blaze, according to reporting on the findings.
The fire broke out on the morning of August 26 in the nursery at PIMS’ Mother and Child Healthcare Centre.
According to an initial PIMS account, a spark was detected inside the nursery at about 6:38am, after which the blaze spread rapidly in an environment where oxygen outlets were located near incubators. The hospital said staff and security personnel attempted to respond before a blast and ceiling collapse complicated rescue efforts.
However, the interim inquiry stopped short of conclusively establishing the precise ignition source, meaning the initial explanation of an electrical spark should not yet be treated as the final legally established cause of the fire.
Fourteen Newborns Died, One Was Rescued
There were 15 newborns in the affected nursery, according to government and international reporting. Fourteen died, while one baby survived after being rescued by nurse Razia Noreen.
Noreen entered the burning nursery and emerged with the surviving baby within seconds, according to CCTV footage reviewed by the Associated Press. She attempted to return but was forced back by intense smoke and flames.
The government subsequently announced that she would receive the Sitara-i-Khidmat for her actions.
The tragedy triggered nationwide outrage and intensified scrutiny of fire-safety standards at public hospitals.
Parliamentary Committees Challenge Inquiry Findings
The prime minister’s committee report has itself come under scrutiny.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services said on August 31 that it was not satisfied with the preliminary inquiry, citing what it described as significant gaps in the investigation.
Committee members raised questions about fire-safety systems, electrical installations, air-conditioning equipment, oxygen infrastructure, biomedical equipment, emergency preparedness and staff training.
They also questioned aspects of the evidence, including CCTV footage and conflicting accounts concerning the number of babies in the nursery.
The Senate health committee separately raised concerns after visiting the nursery, including the reported absence of fire alarms and questions surrounding emergency exits.
These parliamentary concerns are important because they show that the prime minister-appointed committee’s interim report is not the final word on all disputed facts surrounding the disaster.
Police Action Follows Earlier Delay
The latest development also clarifies an earlier uncertainty over criminal proceedings.
On August 30, reporting indicated that Islamabad police were still awaiting formal written instructions before proceeding with an FIR or other criminal action.
By September 3, however, Express reported that police had started their inquiry and recorded statements from the officials concerned.
This means the accurate current formulation is that police proceedings have begun, rather than saying authorities merely intend to investigate.
However, the Express report describes proceedings under Section 174 and statement-recording; it does not establish that all eight officials have been formally charged with criminal offences or convicted of negligence.
PM Orders Accountability and Hospital Reforms
Shehbaz has repeatedly said officials found responsible for criminal negligence would face action.
At a September 1 review meeting, the prime minister was briefed on implementation of the inquiry committee’s interim recommendations and directed that safety improvements and health-sector reforms be accelerated at PIMS.
The government has also announced Rs5 million in compensation for each affected family.
Separately, the tragedy has prompted broader scrutiny of hospital fire safety. Punjab authorities ordered a review of emergency and fire-safety arrangements at public and private healthcare facilities following the PIMS disaster.
The police investigation now adds a criminal-law dimension to the administrative and parliamentary inquiries.
Its central task will be to determine whether identified safety and management failures amount to criminal responsibility — a question that remains under investigation and has not yet been decided by a court.
