Islamabad, August 26, 2026: A devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies on Wednesday, turning a routine hospital morning into a major tragedy for families and the country.

The blaze broke out at around 6:45 a.m. in the Mother and Child Health ward on the hospital’s third floor. Hospital officials said 15 newborns were inside the affected nursery when the fire started. One baby was rescued, while 14 infants died.

According to Pakistan’s Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, the preliminary indication was that an explosion involving an air-conditioning unit triggered the fire. He also said oxygen being used for newborns intensified the flames. However, authorities have stressed that the exact cause remains subject to investigation.

Emergency teams were sent to the hospital after the fire was reported. Officials said six fire engines and four ambulances participated in the response and that the blaze was brought under control. The administration said rescue teams reached the hospital within minutes, although some relatives and witnesses gave a different account and alleged that the response took too long.

The conflicting accounts have added another dimension to the tragedy. Some parents and witnesses alleged that access to parts of the ward was difficult and that doors were closed during the emergency. Government officials have rejected claims of a delayed emergency response, saying the rescue services acted quickly. An inquiry committee has been tasked with examining these claims and determining what happened inside the ward.

The tragedy prompted an immediate response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He ordered a detailed investigation and called for strict action against anyone found responsible. His office also announced the suspension and removal of Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri following a high-level meeting on the incident.

A high-level investigation committee has been formed to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire, including the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements, emergency response, available equipment and the conditions inside the neonatal ward. A separate fact-finding process has also been initiated by the Islamabad administration.

The incident has renewed concerns about safety standards in large public hospitals, particularly neonatal and maternity facilities where patients often require specialised equipment and cannot be evacuated independently. UNICEF Pakistan called for an urgent review and strengthening of fire-prevention and safety standards in health facilities following the deaths.

Outside PIMS, grieving relatives gathered as authorities completed the formal procedures involving the victims. The loss of newborn lives has generated widespread shock and calls for accountability.

The investigation will now determine how the fire began, how quickly it spread, whether adequate safety measures were available and whether any failures contributed to the deaths. Officials have promised that responsibility will be fixed after the findings are completed.

The tragedy has also highlighted the importance of reliable fire detection systems, emergency exits, evacuation procedures and specialised emergency preparedness in neonatal units. For families, however, the investigation comes after an irreversible loss that has left dozens of parents and relatives mourning their newborn children.