Health Minister Mustafa Kamal assured the Senate on Friday that “no one will be spared” in the investigation into the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) fire, which resulted in the deaths of 14 infants. He pledged accountability and reforms to prevent future tragedies.
“I am saying this on behalf of the prime minister and the entire government that not a single person will be spared,” Kamal stated, offering himself for accountability and noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would ultimately “decide my fate.”
Kamal urged lawmakers to ensure the tragedy did not become “an episode lasting merely a few days.” He proposed a broad investigation to examine systemic failures within Pakistan’s health system, highlighting that approximately 400,000 Pakistani children aged one to five die annually from largely preventable causes, equating to roughly 1,300 deaths daily. He indicated that if Parliament found it insufficient, the government could form another committee or a judicial commission.
Kamal also defended the closure of a nearby Pims gate, explaining it became a controlled entry point after three newborns were stolen about three years ago and did not impede the evacuation of 400 to 450 people during the fire. He added that sprinklers were not installed because the 1984-era building was technically unsuitable.
Both the National Assembly (NA) and Senate approved motions to establish a special parliamentary committee to investigate the incident. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the NA motion, while Senator Sherry Rehman introduced it in the Senate. NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani were authorized to jointly constitute this committee.
Tarar confirmed that a committee led by former interior secretary Shahid Khan would submit initial findings on Friday, with a detailed report to follow within seven days. A separate committee was tasked with recommending preventive measures.
Meanwhile, the NA Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by Mahesh Kumar Malani, suggested a “technical fault” might have caused the fire, rather than solely an air-conditioner spark. Committee members questioned the nursery’s suitability and noted inconsistencies in accounts from staff, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and Pims.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced Rs5 million in compensation for each affected family, to be deposited into the mothers’ accounts. He attributed the tragedy to “someone’s criminal negligence” and promised exemplary punishment.
Chaudhry stated that most infants died from smoke inhalation and were identifiable via birth ID tags. However, grieving parents continued to demand DNA verification, keeping questions of identification and accountability central to the investigation.
