The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, said on Wednesday that her heart is deeply grieved and sorrowful over the tragic fire incident at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad, in which 14 innocent children lost their lives.
Taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, the CM added that ‘this heartbreaking calamity of tender souls has plunged the entire nation into mourning, the anguish of which cannot be expressed in words.’
“On this irreparable loss, I share equally in the pain of the bereaved parents and survivors,” she added.
“May Allah Almighty grant all the mourning families the strength and beautiful patience to endure this shock. Ameen,” she concluded.
PIMS Hospital fire
14 newborn babies lost their lives after a fire broke out in the nursery of the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) at the PIMS early Wednesday.
According to PIMS officials, the nursery housed newborn babies who were either in incubators or receiving oxygen when the fire erupted at around 6:45 AM.
According to the reports, 15 babies were present in the ward, out of which one was saved by her maternal aunt.
PM Shehbaz summons emergency meeting
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad following the tragic fire at the nursery of PIMS.
Officials from the Ministry of Health, PIMS administration, district administration, police, fire brigade and other relevant institutions have been called to attend the meeting.
The meeting will review the circumstances surrounding the fire, its possible causes, the rescue operation and the fire-safety arrangements at the PIMS nursery.
Prime Minister Shehbaz had already taken notice of the incident and ordered an immediate investigation.
He directed authorities to determine the factors that led to the fire and identify any officials responsible for negligence or failure to perform their duties.