ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered authorities to overhaul the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) within three months after a performance audit found that the hospital met only 39.7 percent of the required standards, against an acceptable benchmark of 90 percent.
Chairing a meeting on PIMS’s improvement, the prime minister directed officials to implement the short-term measures recommended in the hospital’s inquiry report within the three-month deadline, with particular focus on fire safety and essential patient services.
He reviewed the inquiry report and a performance audit conducted by the Ministry of National Health Services and directed authorities to take all possible measures to bring PIMS in line with international standards.
The prime minister also asked PIMS authorities to seek assistance from the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) in strengthening the hospital’s fire-safety system.
The meeting was informed that 37 measures recommended in the inquiry report were being taken up for immediate implementation, alongside medium- and long-term reforms.
Sharif further directed officials to examine recommendations contained in a World Health Organisation (WHO) report and ensure their implementation.
The reform roadmap will include measures for the free provision of medicines and facilities at the hospital, while personnel with a good professional reputation will be appointed to key positions, according to the meeting.
A comprehensive long-term plan for PIMS will also be prepared, they added.
Separately, the prime minister ordered an audit of Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad, removal of irregularities and preparation of a restructuring plan.
He directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ensure fire-safety compliance at all government and private hospitals in the federal capital.
The CDA and other relevant departments were also directed to audit fire-safety arrangements in government and private offices and other buildings across Islamabad and ensure compliance.
Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Mukhtar Bharath and senior officials attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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