Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Approves Suspension of Eight Officials Over PIMS Incident

Lahore, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on the PIMS incident, during which an interim report of the inquiry committee was reviewed. Based on the committee’s findings, the Prime Minister approved the immediate suspension of eight individuals and authorized departmental and criminal proceedings against those found responsible.

The inquiry committee presented its interim report to the Prime Minister, who directed that strict legal action be taken against those responsible. According to an official statement, those suspended include PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr. Imran Sikandar, Dr. Nosheela Amjad and Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman.

CDA Emergency Services Director General Abdul Rehman was also among those suspended, while action was approved against PIMS Joint Executive Directors Dr. Mutahir and Dr. Owais Shah.

The meeting also approved the conferment of the Sitara-e-Khidmat award on a nurse who saved the life of a child during the PIMS incident. A nurse and a female security guard who were present in the affected ward were made Officers on Special Duty (OSD), with further investigations ordered.

The Prime Minister directed the appointment of Dr. Muhammad Salman as Acting Executive Director of PIMS and ordered the immediate and simultaneous appointment of new personnel in place of the officers and staff removed from their positions. The inquiry report will be made available on the website of the Ministry of National Health Services.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that those found guilty of criminal negligence would not be given any concession. He said those responsible for the PIMS incident would be brought to justice in accordance with the law and would face exemplary punishment.

The Prime Minister described the deaths of innocent children as an extremely tragic incident that had deeply grieved the entire nation. He expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents and said the nation stood with them in their grief.

During the meeting, approximately two minutes of CCTV footage recorded at the time of the incident was also presented. Preliminary findings indicated deficiencies in detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and required training for dealing with emergencies at PIMS.

Of the 13 SOPs examined at PIMS, only two sub-sections contained references to fire or emergency situations, the inquiry report noted.

According to the report, no supervisory staff was present on duty at the time of the incident. Two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer were present in the ward.

The fire engulfed the entire ward in approximately two minutes. However, one nurse managed to save a child before the flames spread rapidly through the ward.

The report further stated that emergency services were contacted approximately six minutes after the fire broke out, while the first emergency response reached PIMS approximately 15 minutes after the emergency call was received.