ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry against senior officials of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) over their alleged failure to act on fire safety deficiencies after a fire incident in its nursing hostel in July.

The charge sheet stated that timely corrective measures could have prevented the fire incident in August in which 14 newborn babies died.

The charge sheet alleged that despite the administration being put on notice about the July 6 fire at the Female Nursing Hostel, deficiencies relating to fire causation, evacuation and emergency response were not adequately addressed.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, while speaking to media after the incident in August, had claimed that he was kept in the dark about the nursing hostel fire.

PM orders three-member inquiry team to complete probe in 60 days

According to the charge sheet, officials failed to initiate, recommend and ensure reasonable safeguards after the first fire. The alleged omissions, it says, indicated a failure to establish an effective, documented and verifiable system for mitigating fire and life-safety risks.

The prime minister, acting as the competent authority under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to determine responsibility.

The committee is headed by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul with Education Secretary Nadeem Mahbub and Human Rights Secretary Abdul Khaliq Sheikh as members. Joint Secretary (hospitals) Mohammad Bakhsh Sangi has been nominated as departmental representative.

The team has been directed to complete its proceedings within 60 days, unless an extension is granted by the competent authority, and submit its report within seven days of completion with clear findings on whether the charges have been proved and recommendations regarding exoneration or penalties.

The charge sheet has been served on eight Pims officials, including former Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikander, Joint Executive Director Ch. Waris Ali Raza, Director Mother and Child Health Centre Prof Dr Nosheela Amjad, Dr Mutahir Shah, Head of Neonatology Prof Dr Sadia Riaz, Dr Aneza Jalil, Dr Nagham Nawaz and security official Mohammad Usman.

In the case of Dr Aneza Jalil, who was performing charge as Deputy Executive Director, the charge sheet specifically alleged that she failed to exercise adequate administrative diligence after being alerted about the July fire and did not ensure reasonable safeguards while corrective measures were pending.

She has been given 14 days to submit her written reply. The proceedings could result in disciplinary penalties, including dismissal from service, if the charges are established under the relevant rules.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026