Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said any officials found guilty of “criminal negligence” in last month’s fire at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) will not receive any leniency.
Chairing an emergency meeting on health sector affairs and the recent fire incident that resulted in the deaths of 14 infants, he directed Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and Secretary Capt. Muhammad Mahmood (ret.) to ensure their personal presence at PIMS on alternate days so they could personally oversee the implementation of measures aimed at improving the institution.
He also directed the relevant authorities to ensure improvements in healthcare and treatment facilities at PIMS and to strictly implement all necessary safety and security measures. He further directed authorities concerned to accelerate the pace of reforms across the country’s health sector.
During the meeting, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif received a briefing on matters concerning the health sector, as well as the ongoing investigation into the PIMS fire. The meeting learnt that directives issued by the prime minister in light of the preliminary investigation report are being implemented.