PIMS fire incident: PM says no leniency for ‘criminal negligence’

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed that officials found responsible for “criminal negligence” in the PIMS fire would receive no leniency, as he ordered senior health officials to step up direct oversight of the hospital and accelerate reforms across the health sector.

The prime minister issued the warning after returning from Kyrgyzstan and chairing an emergency meeting on the Ministry of Health’s affairs and the investigation into the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

Officials briefed the prime minister on the overall state of the health sector, with particular focus on the ongoing investigation into the PIMS fire.

The meeting was told that, in light of the preliminary inquiry report, steps were being taken to implement the prime minister’s decisions.

Sharif made it clear that officials found guilty of criminal negligence and already suspended over the incident must face the consequences and be given no leniency.

He also directed Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and health secretary to ensure their personal presence at PIMS on alternate days.

The two officials were ordered to oversee implementation of measures aimed at improving the hospital and to monitor progress themselves.

The prime minister further ordered that treatment facilities at PIMS be improved and that all necessary safety measures be fully implemented.

Sharif also called for the pace of reforms in the health sector to be accelerated, signalling increased scrutiny of the ministry and hospital administration following the fire.

The directives come as the authorities continue to examine responsibility for the PIMS incident, with the preliminary investigation now forming the basis for action ordered by the prime minister.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026