At least 14 newborns have died after a fire swept through the maternity ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on Tuesday. The incident has left families grieving and sparked renewed concerns about safety standards in public health facilities.
Hospital authorities and police said the blaze broke out on the third floor of the facility in the early hours. An electrical fault involving an air conditioning unit is suspected to be the cause, though officials say a full technical probe will confirm the exact origin. Firefighters were deployed to the scene within minutes of the alarm.
The fire triggered widespread panic as thick smoke filled the ward. Witnesses and relatives described scenes of chaos as medical staff and families struggled to evacuate infants and mothers from the affected area. Some parents said they had to force doors open and carry babies out through smoke-filled corridors due to limited exit routes.
Emergency responders worked to move surviving patients to other wards and nearby hospitals. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, one of the country’s largest public hospitals, said it had activated its emergency protocol and was providing support to affected families. The identities of the infants who died have not yet been released.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a thorough investigation into the tragedy. In a statement, his office said authorities must identify those responsible for any safety lapses and submit findings within days. The government also pledged assistance to the bereaved families and promised to review fire safety measures across federal hospitals.
The incident has reignited debate in Pakistan about infrastructure and safety in public health institutions. Health experts note that overcrowding, ageing electrical systems, and inadequate fire drills have been recurring issues in several major hospitals. Similar facility fires in South Asia in recent years have led to calls for stricter compliance checks.
As mourning continues in Islamabad, hospital officials say the maternity ward will remain closed until safety audits are completed. Condolences have poured in from across the country, with religious leaders and civil groups urging authorities to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated.
