The newly appointed Executive Director (ED) of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Muhammad Salman, has been removed from his post today, ARY News reported.
According to reports, Professor Dr Tanveer Khaliq has been given the charge of ED on a temporary basis. He is the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University.
Dr Muhammad Salman was appointed after the tragic PIMS nursery fire that claimed the lives of 14 newborns. He took charge on August 31, and he had been appointed on deputation for three years.
The cause of removal has not been disclosed yet.
Immediate suspension of eight PIMS officials
Previously, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif ordered the immediate suspension of eight PIMS officials, including the Executive Director at the time, Imran Sikandar, over the fire at the hospital’s neonatal ward.
An inquiry committee found the officials responsible for the incident, which claimed the lives of at least 14 children.
During a high-level meeting on the incident, the prime minister also ordered departmental and criminal action against those responsible, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Baby rescued from PIMS fire dies after days
Previously, the six-month-old baby girl rescued from a fire at PIMS in Islamabad died after spending several days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The baby was identified by her family as Aizal. She was reportedly the only child rescued alive from the ward during the fire. A nurse helped take her out of the smoke-filled area.
Several children died in the fire. Aizal was taken for emergency treatment after being affected by the smoke.
Doctors tried to save her, but her condition remained critical. She later died in the hospital.
Aizal’s mother, Asifa Bibi, told a local TV channel that her daughter was six months and 10 days old.
She said Aizal was born on August 12 and was the couple’s first child.
According to her mother, the baby suffered from smoke during the fire. Doctors and medical staff tried to treat her but could not save her.
The incident has left several families mourning the deaths of their children. It has also raised concerns about fire safety and emergency measures in hospitals.
