President Zardari approves Tamgha-i-Shujaat for PIMS nurse who saved infants from fire

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Tamgha-i-Shujaat on Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) staff nurse Razia Noreen in recognition of her bravery during the hospital’s nursery fire that claimed the lives of 14 newborns.

The fire broke out at the PIMS nursery on August 26, when 15 newborns were inside the facility. Amid the rapidly spreading flames, Noreen risked her own life by entering the nursery and successfully rescuing the only infant to survive the tragedy.

According to the President’s House, CCTV footage showed Noreen entering the smoke-filled nursery and emerging moments later carrying the newborn to safety.

She subsequently attempted to re-enter the facility, but the fire had intensified, preventing her from doing so.

A government inquiry into the incident determined that the fire was likely caused by a fault in the electrical supply cable of air conditioner No. 2.

The investigation also highlighted shortcomings in the hospital’s safety systems and broader institutional failures that contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier commended Noreen for her courage and dedication to duty and presented her with a Rs10 million cheque. He had also announced that she would receive the Tamgha-i-Shujaat on March 23.

The national award formally recognises Noreen’s courageous efforts to save the newborn during one of the hospital’s most devastating incidents.