Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
PM Shehbaz orders high-level inquiry into PIMS fire incident, sets tight deadlines for report
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
According to the official notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, retired federal secretary Shahid Khan has been appointed chairman of the inquiry committee. Other members include Major General (R) Dr. Khurshid Utra, Dr. Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan, and the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
The notification outlines a detailed mandate for the committee. It will determine the immediate cause of the fire and establish a timeline of events. The panel has also been tasked with reviewing the emergency response and relief operations carried out by hospital staff and relevant institutions, including the Fire Brigade and Rescue 1122.
A key focus of the inquiry will be assessing compliance with emergency SOPs for the evacuation of newborns, particularly high-risk infants, during the incident. The committee will additionally conduct a thorough review of fire safety infrastructure at PIMS and the extent of adherence to existing safety regulations.
The panel has been empowered to fix responsibility and identify negligence on the part of any individuals involved in the incident, and will present recommendations for necessary administrative reforms at PIMS aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future.
Under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions, the inquiry committee will submit an interim report to the Prime Minister within 48 hours, containing recommendations of an urgent nature. A comprehensive report, covering the complete investigation and actionable recommendations, is to be presented to the prime minister within five days.
The Ministry of National Health Services has been directed to immediately notify the inquiry committee and extend full cooperation and support to facilitate its work.
