PM Shehbaz orders suspension of eight officials over PIMS fire that killed 14 infants

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sarurday approved an inquiry committee’s recommendation to suspend eight officials and initiate action against them over the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) that claimed the lives of 14 infants.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz approved the recommendations while chairing a high-level meeting on the incident in Lahore.

According to media reports, a probe into the PIMS incident has recommended the removal of 10 officials, including the executive director and other senior staff, over alleged negligence and serious administrative lapses.

Citing sources, the report said that the probe report holds several senior officials responsible for negligence and lapses in connection with the incident. The inquiry committee has recommended removing five senior officials from their positions, the sources said.

The report states that senior officials demonstrated serious negligence and carelessness, while PIMS was being run in an unprofessional manner without an appropriate administrative structure.

The committee has recommended appointing competent officials in place of those removed and establishing a permanent governing board for the hospital. It said the board was essential for regular oversight and effective administration of PIMS.