Story perspectives

Sharif Suspends Officials, Orders Prosecutions After Infant Fire

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended eight officials and ordered prosecutions after a fire killed 14 infants at PIMS.
Officials said a spark from an air-conditioning unit may have ignited oxygen connections, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
Emergency services were called six minutes after the fire started and arrived fifteen minutes later.
The government pledged 5 million rupees per family and awarded nurse Razia Noreen a Sitara-i-Khidmat and 1 million-rupee cash reward.

History

Historical Context

Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, founded as RAF Hospital No 10 and renamed Jinnah Central Hospital in 1949, merged with the Basic Medical Sciences Institute in 1962 to reach 1,250 beds and now treats about 1.8 million patients yearly. The 2015 maternity-ward fire that killed twelve newborns and today’s suspension of eight PIMS officials by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlight longstanding safety gaps in the historic Karachi hospital.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended eight officials and ordered prosecutions after a fire killed 14 infants at PIMS.
Officials said a spark from an air-conditioning unit may have ignited oxygen connections, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
Emergency services were called six minutes after the fire started and arrived fifteen minutes later.
The government pledged 5 million rupees per family and awarded nurse Razia Noreen a Sitara-i-Khidmat and 1 million-rupee cash reward.

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