Federal Health Secretary Suspended Over PIMS Nursery Fire Deaths

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghouri following the tragic death of 14 newborn babies in a fire at the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.

The prime minister took serious notice of the incident and expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of the newborns. He directed authorities to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine those responsible.

“Such a situation involving newborn babies is unacceptable and irreparable,” the prime minister said, directing that those found responsible should face strict action.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also chaired a high-level meeting to review the incident and expressed severe displeasure at the relevant officials.

During the meeting, he ordered the immediate suspension and removal of Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghouri from his post.

The prime minister also constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the deaths and determine the causes of the fire as well as responsibility for any negligence.

Former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan has been appointed chairman of the inquiry committee, while Secretary Establishment Dr Barrister Noel Awan is among its members.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the bereaved families, saying that the tragic deaths of the innocent newborns had deeply saddened him and that the government shared the grief of the affected parents.

He prayed for patience and strength for the families of the victims.