Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Wednesday that officials found guilty of criminal negligence in the August 26 fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which resulted in the deaths of 14 infants, would face strict consequences. Upon his return to Islamabad from Kyrgyzstan, the prime minister convened an emergency meeting focused on health sector issues and the ongoing investigation into the tragic incident at PIMS, the largest public-sector hospital in the federal capital.
The meeting included Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Health Secretary Muhammad Mahmood, and the newly appointed PIMS Executive Director Dr Muhammad Salman. During the session, the prime minister received updates on the healthcare sector and progress made in the probe of the PIMS fire.
Officials assured the prime minister that his directives were being implemented in accordance with the preliminary investigation report. Shehbaz Sharif instructed the health minister and health secretary to personally visit PIMS on alternate days to supervise the execution of measures aimed at improving hospital conditions. He also emphasized enhancing treatment facilities and enforcing all necessary safety protocols at the institution.
In a significant development, the prime minister called for an acceleration of health sector reforms, underscoring the urgency to address systemic weaknesses. He reiterated that no concessions would be granted to those found criminally negligent in connection with the PIMS fire.
Meanwhile, a National Assembly subcommittee on health submitted a detailed report to the prime minister, exposing irregularities, mismanagement, and alleged corruption in both public and private hospitals across Islamabad. The report highlighted serious regulatory deficiencies, noting that no hospital in the capital currently holds a proper and effective healthcare license.
The committee urged immediate implementation of its recommendations, which include comprehensive financial and medical audits of all healthcare facilities in Islamabad and ensuring that complete records of all registered providers are maintained and verified. It also identified the absence of an effective mechanism to monitor healthcare charges, resulting in patients being subjected to excessive fees due to inadequate oversight.
The report called for the establishment of a transparent system to regulate healthcare costs and protect patients from inflated charges. It further recommended removing any members of the healthcare regulatory authority with conflicts of interest, which undermine the body’s ability to govern the sector effectively. Audits of basic health units, rural health centers, and community health centers in Islamabad’s rural areas were also proposed, alongside the development of a comprehensive system for monitoring medical and financial affairs, geographic mapping of healthcare facilities, and licensing of healthcare providers.
Earlier, the parliamentary committee investigating the PIMS fire questioned hospital management, emergency response, and regulatory oversight but was unable to conclusively determine the fire’s cause. Committee members suggested summoning former PIMS Executive Director Dr Imran Sikandar for further inquiry into hospital management and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that conflicting reports had been presented regarding the fire’s origin, with some attributing it to an air conditioner and others to electrical wiring. He remarked, “Some say the fire started from the wiring, while others say it was caused by the AC. We are being lied to.” Despite references to various potential sources, the committee has yet to establish the exact cause of the blaze, which reportedly spread within approximately 120 seconds.
Kamal emphasized that hospital staff present during the incident remain at PIMS and that he has maintained impartiality by keeping the ministry separate from the committee’s investigation, offering the ministry for scrutiny as part of the inquiry. The committee chairman stressed the priority of preventing a recurrence of such a disaster and indicated that reforms would follow the investigation.
The proceedings revealed broader concerns about PIMS administration, with the chairman criticizing the management of major hospitals in Pakistan as being driven by business interests rather than medical professionals. Lawmakers were informed of poor inter-departmental coordination at PIMS, where departments reportedly operate in isolation and restrict resource sharing. “PIMS has become a fiefdom,” the chairman remarked.
The committee also questioned officials from the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority about their oversight of PIMS. When asked about their last visit to the hospital, representatives could not provide a precise date. It was noted that public-sector hospitals claim to fall outside the authority’s jurisdiction, a point challenged by the committee chairman who highlighted the regulator’s responsibility for licensing.
PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneesa confirmed that the healthcare authority had never issued a license to PIMS nor conducted any inspection of the hospital. Senator Rubina Khalid criticized the authority for its failure to monitor PIMS, stating, “You have never even asked about the condition of PIMS, yet you are giving us lectures.” The committee also learned that the head of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority owns a medical college, raising further concerns about conflicts of interest.
Members questioned the regulatory body’s structure, noting it was designed to operate independently from the health ministry, with some suggesting the institution’s current form is redundant. Senator Khalid urged Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to abolish the regulatory authority at the earliest opportunity.
