Infant deaths at Pims prompt Sindh govt to renew fire safety directives

Infant deaths at Pims prompt Sindh govt to renew fire safety directives.

Key points

• Faiza Ilyas Published August 28, 2026 Updated August 28, 2026 08: 50am.
• Thursday additionally saw a high-level gathering chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah.
• The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) have additionally issued fire safety directives to all health facilities operating under their administrative control.
• Faiza Ilyas is a Karachi-based senior reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience.
• SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro directed the relevant authorities to inspect fire alarms, fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation routes in all hospitals.

Faiza Ilyas Published August 28, 2026 Updated August 28, 2026 08: 50am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

PMA warns health facilities in the province remain vulnerable to fires; urges concrete steps to improve safety measures for patients and staff Chief Secy orders review of fire safety measures at all public places, buildings KMC, SESSI-run hospitals informed to ensure installation of extinguishers, alarm and fire detection systems.

KARACHI: The tragic loss of 14 infants in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in the heart of the federal capital has additionally brought to light the highly risky conditions prevailing at health facilities throughout Sindh, prompting authorities to matter directives to review and strengthen fire safety measures at all health facilities, public places and buildings.

While calling for concrete steps to produce hospitals safe for both staff and patients, the matter was additionally taken up by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), whose representatives cautioned at a press conference on Thursday that health facilities in Sindh were no less vulnerable to such an incident.

Thursday additionally saw a high-level gathering chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah. This person issued directives to all provincial departments to complete reviews of fire safety arrangements at all public places, buildings and institutions under their administrative control and submit signed compliance certificates within 15 days. 'A predictable outcome of criminal negligence'.

Speaking at the press conference, PMA's Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro remarked the fire at Pims was a predictable outcome of criminal negligence, complete administrative breakdown and structural failure.

"If a flagship institution operating directly under federal oversight lacks functional emergency exits, maintained fire suppression systems and basic safety protocols, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: our healthcare system is in crisis from the top down, " he remarked.

Pointing to the state of health facilities in Sindh's rural and underprivileged areas, he remarked their conditions were far worse. "Millions of vulnerable citizens are forced to seek care in dangerous, crumbling facilities that lack basic fire protection, functional equipment and physical security for patients and medical staff alike."

Recalling some fire incidents at Sindh's hospitals – the National Institute of Child Health (June 2026), Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical Sciences (November 2025) and Sindh Administration Hospital Liaquatabad (February 2024) – that resulted in the death of four health staffers, the PMA representative emphasised that these tragedies indicated structural failures nationwide's healthcare system.

"Hospitals must be sanctuaries of healing – not places where infants and patients pay for administrative failure with their lives, " he remarked.

Notably, the association demanded immediate resignation and removal of the entire Pims executive administration and the senior authorities directly tasked with facility management and regulatory oversight.

It additionally called on an immediate, third-party safety and security audit of every public and private healthcare facility throughout Pakistan, prioritising high-risk rural and district hospitals, and Rs100m compensation to each aggrieved family. 'Over 3, 300 buildings audited for fire safety in Sindh'.

At the session chaired by the CS, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) office-holders noted that a total of 3, 354 buildings had been identified and audited for fire safety throughout the province.

They remarked 798 buildings were inspected in Karachi Division, 1, 287 in Hyderabad Division, 420 in Larkana Division, 129 in Mirpurkhas Division, 418 in Shaheed Benazirabad Division and 302 in Sukkur Division.

Referring to past fire incidents, the chief secretary remarked that timely safety measures, trained staff and well-organised evacuation aims could significantly reduce loss of life and property. "Fire safety is an ongoing responsibility and cannot be limited to a one-time inspection, " he remarked.

For context, the CS directed all administrative departments and divisional commissioners to ensure full compliance in every facility, with special priority for public places, administration buildings, commercial centres, shopping malls, markets, prisons, hospitals, teaching hospitals, industrial facilities, schools, colleges, hostels, child protection institutions, Dar-ul-Amans, orphanages and bus terminals.

He remarked special safety measures and workable emergency evacuation arrangements must be ensured in institutions housing children, women, patients, students, prisoners and other vulnerable groups. Healthcare body to conduct surprise inspection.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) has directed healthcare establishments throughout the province to ensure full compliance with the commission's prescribed standards for fire safety, emergency preparedness and disaster readiness.

"The SHCC will now conduct surprise inspections and monitoring visits across Sindh, without prior notification, to assess the actual level of compliance with the prescribed safety standards, " a spokesperson of the commission remarked.

During these visits, he continued, SHCC inspection teams would not only physically assess fire safety and emergency arrangements but would additionally verify relevant records and documentary evidence. KMC, SESSI intensify fire safety measures at hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) have additionally issued fire safety directives to all health facilities operating under their administrative control.

For context, the KMC directed heads of all its health facilities to review and strengthen the fire safety measures; ensure installation and availability of adequate fire extinguishers at all appropriate and easily accessible locations, including wards, operation theatres, laboratory, store, kitchens, electric rooms and other high-risk areas.

Notably, the hospitals were asked to ensure installation and functional maintenance of fire alarm and detection systems, provision and maintenance of clearly marked and unobstructed emergency fire exits with appropriate lighting and display of emergency evacuation intends and fire safety instructions at prominent locations for the guidance of patients, attendants and hospital staff.

Additionally, SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro directed the relevant authorities to inspect fire alarms, fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation routes in all hospitals. Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2026.

Faiza Ilyas is a Karachi-based senior reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience. Her reporting covers a diverse range of beats, including health, higher education, the environment, and wildlife.

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