Pims tragedy: Kamal offers himself for accountability after 14 newborns perish in fire

Pims tragedy: Kamal offers himself for accountability after 14 newborns perish in fire.

Key points

• He remarked Pims was built at a time when Islamabad's population was around 350, 000, whereas the city now has a population of around 3.6 million.
• Responding to questions regarding Pims' fire-safety infrastructure, Kamal stated sprinklers had not been installed since the 1984 building was technically unsuitable for them.
• Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Senator Sherry Rehman demanded the health minister to tender his resignation over the tragedy.
• He remarked around 400 to 450 residents had been evacuated from the affected area.
• From Riyadh to Tehran and Ankara, nations stand with Pakistan after Pims tragedy.

Health minister notes around 450 residents were evacuated, closed gate caused "no problems". Published August 26, 2026. Pims building unsuitable for sprinkler: Kamal. Notes hospital infrastructure dates back to 1984. Around 9, 500 individuals visit Pims daily: health minister.

Federal Minister for National and Health Services Mustafa Kamal has offered himself for accountability over the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), vowing no one responsible for the deaths of newborns would be spared.

"Accountability should start with me, " he remarked while speaking on Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath', adding that no one under his authority should be protected if they were identified responsible for negligence or wrongdoing.

At least 14 infants died after a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pims hospital on Wednesday. The tragedy sparked widespread criticism of the health minister and the authorities concerned, with citizens nationwide expressing outrage and demanding accountability for the incident.

Kamal remarked the administration had constituted a high-powered inquiry committee to investigate the incident and that its members would be free to determine responsibility.

He remarked around 400 to 450 residents had been evacuated from the affected area. Addressing questions over a gate that had reportedly been closed, the minister remarked the passage had been open for movement four or five years ago but was subsequently secured after three newborn babies were stolen from PIMS around three years earlier.

According to Kamal, the gate had therefore been manned by security personnel and applied as a controlled entry and exit point. He remarked the preliminary information available so far indicated that the gate had not caused any challenge during the evacuation.

While hundreds of patients, mothers who had lately delivered babies and other individuals were evacuated from the surrounding rooms and corridor, he remarked four babies were evacuated from a room immediately adjacent to the room where the fire broke out.

Kamal remarked preliminary video evidence indicated that flames appeared at around 6: 38pm and that by 6: 39pm the entire room had caught fire, apparently intensified by oxygen. He stressed that this was only preliminary information and that the inquiry committee would establish the facts.

In practice, the minister remarked the committee would determine what caused the fire and establish responsibility for the deaths.

He remarked Pims was built at a time when Islamabad's population was around 350, 000, whereas the city now has a population of around 3.6 million. The hospital, he continued, additionally caters to patients from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

During the interview, Kamal was questioned regarding previous incidents at the hospital, including the deaths of four heatstroke patients in June 2023 against the backdrop of a malfunctioning air-conditioning system and a fire at the female nursing hostel in July.

Kamal remarked he could not comment on events that occurred before he assumed office and that he would wait for the findings of the current inquiry.

Regarding the July hostel fire, he remarked the incident involved a small fire in which a sofa was damaged and no major incident occurred. He remarked a report had been prepared and that the administration had taken the necessary precautionary measures.

Kamal again stressed that anyone discovered responsible for the current incident would face consequences.

Kamal remarked Pims had around 300 outpatient departments three decades ago, whereas approximately 9, 500 residents now visit the hospital daily, with patients and their attendants bringing the total number of individuals at the facility to around 50, 000.

He remarked fire extinguishers were available at the hospital and 22 of the facility's 36 extinguishers were employed during the incident.

He remarked the fire was contained using the extinguishers and did not spread to the adjoining rooms, adding that the extent of the fire could otherwise have caused even greater destruction.

Earlier, the health minister faced protests from individuals while speaking to the media outside the hospital and had to leave the premises. Minister notes PM deeply concerned over PIMS fire.

Kamal remarked he had remained in contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif throughout the day after the incident and that the premier was deeply disturbed and concerned.

He remarked he had joined a gathering through video link while travelling from Karachi to Islamabad and went directly to Pims after landing.

According to Kamal, the prime minister had summoned authorities from relevant institutions and obtained a preliminary report before ordering further investigation.

He remarked the administration had established a permanent inquiry committee that would submit its findings and that decisions would be taken on the basis of those findings.

Kamal remarked the prime minister had additionally discussed reviewing fire-safety arrangements, drills and training at the two federal hospitals in Islamabad. PPP demands health minister's resignation.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Senator Sherry Rehman demanded the health minister to tender his resignation over the tragedy.

Sherry remarked the emergency department's door was locked, and residents had to break windows to enter.

"According to my information, doctors were not present, " Rehman remarked, describing the loss of newborn lives as extremely tragic.

She remarked the PPP had not come to politicise the incident but had a responsibility to question what happened. "The minister responsible should resign, " Rehman continued.

PPP leader Nayer Hussain Bokhari remarked the Health Ministry should be answerable for the incident and that removing only one secretary would not be enough. Create us preferred on Google.

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For now, pims tragedy: Kamal offers himself for accountability after 14 newborns perish in remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.