National Assembly passes resolution over tragic loss of infants in PIMS fire incident

Islamabad (Web Desk): The National Assembly on Friday voiced deep sorrow over the deaths of innocent infants in the fire that recently broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, adopting a resolution condemning the tragic incident.

Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry presented the resolution, which denounced the incident and raised serious questions over the negligence and safety failures that resulted in the loss of precious young lives.

The resolution urged the government to proceed against those found responsible for any negligence or breach of safety requirements under the law.

It also stressed that fire prevention systems and emergency response arrangements must be strictly enforced across federal government hospitals, particularly in neonatal and pediatric departments, so that such a tragedy does not happen again.

The National Assembly also expressed sympathy with the families grieving the loss of their children.

Speaking during the session, Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the committee established by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to investigate the PIMS fire would submit its preliminary findings by the evening. He added that the details contained in the interim report would be shared with the public.

Tarar said the inquiry panel, led by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, had been given seven days to complete and submit its full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

He further told lawmakers that a second committee had been set up to examine ways to reorganise and improve the functioning of PIMS. This body, too, would present its recommendations within seven days.

The law minister described the PIMS fire as an immensely painful incident, saying the tragedy had left the entire nation deeply distressed.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also addressed the House and stressed that those whose negligence contributed to the tragedy must face accountability.

He called for immediate measures and said the process of determining responsibility should not be unnecessarily delayed.

Later, Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved a motion empowering the Speaker, in consultation with the Chairman of the Senate, to establish a special committee.

The proposed body would investigate the PIMS fire and prepare recommendations aimed at strengthening safety arrangements and preventing similar incidents in the future.

Following the proceedings, the National Assembly was prorogued.