PIMS tragedy: Health Minister Kamal vows no one responsible will be spared

Islamabad (Web Desk): Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday placed himself before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accountability following the tragic incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), as criticism mounted over the deaths of newborns in a hospital fire.

At least 14 infants lost their lives when a fire erupted in the gynaecology ward of PIMS earlier in the day. The incident triggered strong public anger, with people across the country calling for those responsible to be held accountable and questioning the performance of the health authorities.

Amid the growing backlash, senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Sherry Rehman also called on the federal health minister to step down in the wake of the tragedy.

Speaking to reporters outside PIMS in Islamabad, Kamal said that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence or wrongdoing.

“Whoever is found responsible for any mistake will not be spared,” the minister said, adding that he had placed his own position before the prime minister, who would have the final say on the matter.

“I have presented myself before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accountability. He is my boss and will decide my fate.”

The minister further explained that CCTV recordings indicated that a spark appeared close to an air-conditioning unit at around 6:38am. He said people were seen rushing away from the area approximately one minute later.

Mustafa Kamal said that the presence of oxygen in the ward caused the flames to spread more intensely.

He also assured that all facts surrounding the incident would be brought to light and that nothing would be kept from the public.

As the minister addressed the media outside the hospital, protesters confronted him and voiced their anger over the deaths. Kamal subsequently left the hospital premises.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherry Rehman alleged that the emergency department’s entrance was locked during the emergency, forcing people to smash windows to gain access.

“According to my information, doctors were not present,” Rehman said, expressing deep sorrow over the deaths of the newborns and describing the incident as an extremely painful tragedy.

She clarified that the PPP was not seeking to turn the incident into a political issue, but said the party had a duty to seek answers and determine how such a devastating situation occurred.

“The minister responsible should resign,” Rehman said.

PPP leader Nayer Hussain Bokhari also demanded accountability from the Health Ministry, arguing that holding only one secretary responsible and removing that official would not adequately address the seriousness of the incident.