ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has vowed strict accountability following the deaths of 14 newborns in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), as calls for his resignation grow.
Speaking outside PIMS, Kamal said he had presented himself for accountability and assured that no one responsible for negligence would be spared. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered a detailed investigation into the tragedy and that all available evidence would be brought forward.
The fire broke out early Wednesday on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS. Fourteen of the 15 newborns in the affected ward died, while one infant survived and was rescued.
Kamal said CCTV footage was being examined by investigators. According to his account, the footage showed a spark apparently emerging from an air-conditioning unit, followed by the rapid spread of flames.
He said oxygen support being provided to most of the infants was also being examined as a possible factor in the rapid spread of the fire. However, he stressed that the exact cause remained under investigation.
The minister said several government institutions were investigating the incident and vowed that those responsible would face accountability. He also acknowledged longstanding infrastructure and capacity challenges at PIMS.
Meanwhile, political pressure on Kamal has intensified. PPP leader Sharmila Farooqi described the deaths as criminal negligence and called for the federal health minister to resign.
Sindh government spokesperson Sukhdev Hemnani also demanded Kamal’s resignation, arguing that he should take responsibility for the tragedy. He said that if Kamal does not step down, the prime minister should remove him to ensure a transparent inquiry.
Kamal maintained that the investigation should focus not only on identifying those responsible but also on finding the root causes and implementing measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
