The interim investigation report into the PIMS tragedy has been presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with sources saying the inquiry committee has identified causes, responsibilities and several administrative and safety shortcomings at the hospital.
The report recommends immediate action against those held responsible and highlights administrative incompetence, absent staff, construction defects and failures to implement earlier recommendations for improving PIMS.
Former interior secretary Shahid Khan, who headed the inquiry committee, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and presented the interim investigation report on the PIMS tragedy.
Sources said Shahid Khan himself briefed the prime minister on the key features and findings of the report, which was compiled on the basis of available evidence and official records.
The report was earlier submitted late last night to the office of Prime Minister’s Advisor Tauqir Shah. Tauqir Shah subsequently forwarded it to the prime minister and informed him about its contents and recommendations.
The interim report has been signed by all members of the inquiry committee. The prime minister has also been given the authority to decide whether the report should be made public.
Causes and responsibilities
The investigation committee determined the causes of the PIMS tragedy and examined who was responsible for the incident.
The report reviewed administrative negligence, safety arrangements, implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the response and responsibilities of relevant staff at the time of the incident.
Committee members also examined the administrative capacity and internal circumstances of the hospital and expressed concern over PIMS’s poor administrative conditions.
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According to sources, the committee held the head of PIMS responsible for administrative incompetence and also held staff who were absent from duty responsible for what it described as a criminal act.
Earlier improvement suggestions not implemented
The interim report revealed that recommendations and suggestions previously made for improving PIMS Hospital had not been implemented.
The committee linked the effects of administrative incompetence to the hospital’s overall condition and raised concerns over shortcomings in its management and internal administration. The report also examines the hospital’s facilities and states that PIMS does not meet international standards.
The committee has recommended immediate action against those responsible, while also calling for strict action against relevant PIMS staff who were absent from duty.
Video, records and evidence examined
The inquiry committee reviewed statements, video evidence, official records and other available material to determine responsibility for the tragedy. The report also refers to construction defects and evidence related to the affected block of the hospital.
A short video clip recorded at the time of the PIMS tragedy was made part of the inquiry proceedings. Sources said the moments of the blast can be seen in the few seconds of footage received by the committee.
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Interviews with the PIMS administration and doctors were also included in the interim report. Statements from the fire brigade and rescue teams were likewise examined, while the problems faced by rescue personnel during relief operations were documented in the findings.
Recommendations to prevent future incidents
The committee has made several recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents at PIMS and other healthcare facilities in the future.
The recommendations cover hospital administration, safety arrangements, SOP implementation and the response of relevant staff during emergencies.
The committee also recommended strict action against absent staff and immediate measures against those found responsible for the tragedy.
PM to decide on action
Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will decide on immediate action in light of the findings and recommendations of the interim inquiry.
The prime minister is likely to take immediate action against those held responsible, according to sources.
The development follows strong demands raised by lawmakers in the National Assembly a day earlier. Ministers had assured members that action would be taken against those responsible, while the federal law minister had also proposed forming a parliamentary committee, but the process could not be completed.
High-level team expected to inspect PIMS
A high-level inspection team is expected to visit PIMS Hospital today as authorities move to assess the facility’s safety and administrative arrangements.
The leaves of all heads of departments at PIMS have been cancelled, and they have been instructed to remain present at the hospital today.
The inspection is expected to form part of the wider response following the tragedy and the findings emerging from the interim investigation.
Fire safety audit ordered
On the fourth day after the PIMS tragedy, the Federal Ministry of Health ordered an immediate fire safety audit of all government hospitals operating under the federal administration.
The ministry issued a formal letter directing that the audit be conducted through an authorised and expert fire safety company.
The exercise will review fire alarms, firefighting equipment, emergency exits and evacuation routes at federal government hospitals.
The fire safety audit will also examine electricity systems and other potential fire hazards that could contribute to emergencies inside hospitals. Authorities will assess emergency response arrangements and the readiness of hospital staff to deal with fire and other dangerous situations.
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All hospitals have been instructed to immediately inform the authorities about the start of their audit, the name of the company conducting it and the expected date of completion.
The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority has also been directed to initiate and verify the fire safety audits.
Wider safety and administrative scrutiny
The interim inquiry and the nationwide fire safety audit represent a broader response to the PIMS tragedy, with authorities focusing on both accountability and prevention.
The findings have brought renewed attention to administrative shortcomings, unimplemented improvement proposals, construction defects, safety arrangements and the performance of staff during the incident.
With the prime minister now reviewing the report, any immediate action against those responsible will be determined in light of the committee’s findings and recommendations.
