- The Pakistan government announced compensation of PKR 5 million each for families of 14 infants killed in a fire at a public hospital.
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the compensation is "a small effort to share in their sorrow" and that the amount would be deposited in the accounts of the deceased children's mothers.
- Health Minister Mustafa Kamal promised a fair investigation and assured accountability, stating "not a single person will be spared."
- Kamal called for accountability and preventive measures, noting that 400,000 children between ages one and five die every year, and 1,300 die every day from preventable deaths.
- The National Assembly unanimously approved a resolution calling for an impartial inquiry and strict action against those responsible for negligence or safety lapses.
- A parliamentary health committee, chaired by Mahesh Kumar, concluded that the exact source of the fire remained unclear due to conflicting accounts from hospital staff.
Pakistan has announced PKR 5 million compensation for the families of 14 infants who tragically lost their lives in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).1
The fire, which occurred in the gynaecology ward on Wednesday, has ignited public outrage over safety failures.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described the compensation as a “small effort to share in their sorrow,” and confirmed that the funds would be deposited into the accounts of the deceased children’s mothers.23
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, addressing the Senate, emphasized that “not a single person will be spared” in the investigation, which is to be conducted by an inquiry committee set up by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.45
Kamal highlighted the dire state of the health sector, noting that 400,000 children aged one to five die annually in Pakistan, with 1,300 dying daily from preventable causes.678
The National Assembly has called for an impartial inquiry and strict action against those responsible for negligence.910
A parliamentary health committee has reported that the source of the fire remains unclear due to conflicting accounts from hospital staff, raising further concerns about safety protocols at PIMS.
Kamal urged that this incident should not be forgotten and called for measures to prevent future tragedies.
“Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told the Senate that 400,000 children aged one to five die annually from preventable causes, with 1,300 dying daily. The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding strict action against those responsible for negligence or safety lapses.”
