Pims administration initiates departmental action against six officers over deadly nursery fire

• Pims officers given 14-day deadline to submit written responses.
• Charge sheets allow major penalties including dismissal.
• Inquiry cites systematic and institutional failures.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) administration has initiated departmental proceedings against six officers over alleged negligence in fire safety and administrative arrangements at the hospital.

Charge sheets have been issued to the officials, detailing various allegations of administrative and safety lapses.

The officers facing departmental action include Pims Executive Director Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, Head of Gynaecology Department Professor Dr Nosheela Javed, Dr Nigham Nawaz, Professor Dr Saadia Riaz, Muhammad Usman and Joint Executive Director Waris Ali Raza.

The action follows a fire that broke out at around 6:45am on August 26 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward. Fourteen newborns died in the blaze, while the only surviving infant was rescued by a nurse but later died during treatment, taking the death toll to 15.

A comprehensive inquiry into the Pims nursery fire concluded that an electrical fault in the supply cable of air conditioner number two was the most probable cause of ignition, but that the catastrophe resulted from "systematic and institutional failures".

According to the charge sheet, no effective emergency standard operating procedures (SOPs) or evacuation plan had been prepared for the nursery. It said no fire drill was conducted in the nursery or MCH area from January to August 2026.

Dr Sikandar has been accused of failing to ensure fire safety measures and adequate administrative oversight at Pims.

The charge sheet also accused him of failing to take corrective measures following a fire incident at the nursing hostel on July 6.

It alleged that independent verification of fire safety measures was not carried out and that temporary safety arrangements were not made despite the availability of emergency funds.

The Pims ED was accused of failing to maintain effective coordination with relevant departments after the July 6 fire incident.

He was also accused of simultaneously holding clinical and administrative positions, retaining his official service record in his possession and violating rules in his appointment and promotion as executive director.

Dr Nigham Nawaz was accused of not being present in the neonatology unit on the night of the August 26 fire. The charge sheet described her absence as administrative negligence.

Professor Dr Saadia Riaz was accused of failing to ensure the availability and supervision of staff in the neonatology unit.

Muhammad Usman was charged with failing to ensure adequate fire safety and security arrangements. He was also accused of remaining absent from Pims on August 26 without approved station leave.

The charge sheet accused Usman of failing to ensure the availability of firefighting equipment and emergency routes, as well as proper training for security personnel.

He was further accused of failing to take corrective measures despite being a member of the inquiry committee formed to investigate the July fire.

A charge sheet was also issued to Joint Executive Director Waris Ali Raza over alleged failure to supervise security, engineering, maintenance and fire safety arrangements.

Raza was accused of failing to coordinate with relevant departments for the timely rectification of safety deficiencies.

All six officers have been given 14 days to submit their written responses to the charges.

The charge sheets state that major penalties, including dismissal from service, may be imposed following the departmental proceedings.