Parliament Panels Challenge PIMS Fire Probe After 14 Infant Deaths
Parliamentary committees from both the National Assembly and Senate have raised fresh questions over the investigation into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, intensifying scrutiny of the hospital tragedy that killed 14 infants. The committees examined the inquiry process on Monday and expressed concern over gaps in available evidence, fire-safety arrangements and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Health, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar Malani, said members were not satisfied with the inquiry findings presented so far. Particular attention was drawn to incomplete CCTV material from the hospital nursery, with lawmakers seeking the full footage to establish what happened during the critical moments when the blaze developed. Members also questioned whether investigators had conclusively verified how many infants were inside the nursery at the time.
The committee sought additional technical evidence about the cause and rapid spread of the fire, including information from biomedical engineering officials and records showing when the nursery had last undergone inspection. Lawmakers also examined whether oxygen or other hospital systems could have contributed to the incident. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told the committee that the inquiry panel had been constituted by the prime minister on the day of the tragedy and that the ministry had not conducted a separate investigation after receiving the panel's findings.
The parliamentary review comes after an interim inquiry report was submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Following that report, the prime minister ordered the suspension of eight officials and directed that criminal proceedings be initiated. The controversy has also affected the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, whose chairman, Dr Riaz Shahbaz Janjua, resigned after citing circumstances that he said had undermined the regulator's ability to operate independently and effectively.
A separate Senate Standing Committee on Health also inspected conditions at PIMS and raised concerns about the hospital's emergency preparedness. Senators focused on reported shortcomings including the absence of functioning fire alarms, questions over emergency exits and the lack of regular fire drills and safety inspections. Construction material obstructing areas near clinical facilities was also highlighted as a potential hazard, and hospital officials were instructed to remove obstacles from access routes.
Mustafa Kamal told the Senate committee that the preliminary inquiry indicated the fire spread in roughly two minutes, leaving staff with an extremely limited window to respond. Senators questioned whether adequate doctors, nurses and other personnel were on duty during the emergency and whether stronger staffing and evacuation arrangements might have reduced the loss of life. The committee also examined oversight failures involving hospital management, regulatory authorities, rescue agencies and other institutions responsible for fire and life safety.
The Senate panel called for a comprehensive and technically credible investigation and said accountability should extend beyond immediate operational failures to weaknesses in the wider regulatory system. Members also questioned why inspection visits had reportedly not been carried out regularly and raised concerns about officials holding multiple administrative responsibilities in public hospitals.
The renewed parliamentary scrutiny means the PIMS fire investigation is likely to remain a major national issue as lawmakers seek complete evidence, clearer responsibility and reforms aimed at preventing another hospital disaster. Further review of the inquiry report, possible criminal proceedings against officials and proposed legislation on hospital safety are expected to shape the next phase of the government's response.