September 4, 2026
By Hashir Ahsan
ISLAMABAD
The PIMS fire tragedy, that took the lives of 14 newborns shook the entire country. An inquiry comission was formed by the prime minister right after the incident, while meetings among the government authorities have been held, resulting in more questions than answers – especially about systemic negligence.
Now, one of the grieving fathers of a newborn, who died in a separate incident a year ago, and at a different hospital, has filed a petition at the Islamabad High Court, seeking justice for the incident at PIMS.
Advocate Nasir Azeem is the petitioner, and had lost his newborn baby a year ago at the Holy Family hospital. Azeem’s baby boy had died of burns as well. Following the petition, the court has summoned reports from the respondents within two weeks.
The IHC heard the public interest petition filed against the failure of safety measures, tragic fire incidents, and administrative mismanagement at PIMS and has sought a report and para-wise comments within two weeks from the Federal Government and other respondents.
The court also directed that all reports previously submitted to the Prime Minister of Pakistan be presented. This order was issued by the Chief Justice of the IHC after Advocate Nasir Azeem filed the Constitutional Petition (W.P No. 4186/2026). Advocate Waqas Malik appearing on behalf of the petitioner.
In a conversation with Voicepk, the petitioner Nasir Azeem said that he had lost his newborn son Peerzada, on September 4, 2025. His son had been admitted to the Holy Family Hospital, when he tragically suffered burn injuries due to an incubator. Nasir Azeem said that after his son’s death, he had made a personal vow to work toward improvements in the healthcare sector. “I have filed this petition to fulfill that promise to my deceased son,” he said. “I hope the court will deliver justice.”
He requested that all hospital records be taken into custody and the case be handed over to the FIA.
The petitioner is an advocate of the High Court and has invoked the constitutional jurisdiction of this court for the protection of fundamental rights regarding life, dignity, and lawful medical care of patients, attendants, doctors, nurses, and other individuals in public health institutions.
The petition highlights that PIMS is a major federal general hospital in Islamabad where poor and helpless citizens come for treatment. Therefore, a constitutional and public duty rests upon the hospital administration to maintain proper safety, security, fire prevention, emergency response, and administrative management systems.
PIMS incident background
On August 26, 2026, one of Pakistans’s worst incidents took place when a fire broke out inside the MCH Nursery of PIMS. Within minutes devastating news emerged where it was discovered that 14 newborn babies present inside the incubators in the nursery had been swallowed by the flames. Only one baby was saved.
The petition goes on to state that an attempt was initially made to suppress this news, but due to the severe nature of the incident, the administration could not contain it. Furthermore, the Health Secretary was made the scapegoat while the Federal Health Minister and the Executive Director of PIMS continue to hold their positions by leveraging the backing of an alleged mafia.
Illegal appointment and judicial scrutiny
The petition says that the appointment and administrative control of the Executive Director require independent judicial scrutiny.
He initially occupied this post under the guise of current charge/look-after basis on the pretext of non-availability of a regular officer, and subsequently maintained his position in the primary post of Executive Director by exploiting this temporary arrangement.
Previous fire incident and inquiry report
Following the fire incident at the PIMS Female Nursing Hostel on July 06, 2026, a 19-page formal inquiry report was prepared. This report highlighted shortcomings in hospital administration, security, CCTV cameras, fire and electrical safety, and emergency response capabilities. Despite this, the PIMS administration took no corrective measures.
The petition prays that investigative agencies be directed to immediately secure all evidence. This evidence includes CCTV footage, DVR/NVR systems, entry and exit records, security registers, duty rosters, phone call records, and all relevant electronic and documentary proof.
Criminal negligence and accountability
The petition says that investigative agencies should be directed to probe any criminal act, conspiracy, negligence, or destruction/concealment of evidence. It states that the continuous retention of officials in their posts and the absence of effective action against those responsible is destroying basic public trust. It also invokes various constitutional articles, including Article 9 (guarantees the protection of life and liberty, in light of which those in charge of health institutions are obligated to implement protective safety measures for citizens in their custody and care); Article 14 (human dignity, under which poor and helpless patients must receive basic human protection and dignity); and Article 4 (Public officials are bound to act in accordance with the law and cannot exercise their powers in an arbitrary, negligent, or careless manner.
Non-implementation of Previous Report
The recommendations regarding fire safety, electrical safety, CCTV, and security audits identified by the inquiry committee for the July 06, 2026 Nursing Hostel fire incident were not implemented. Accountability must not be limited merely to junior or lower-level employees if the record proves oversight and management failure at the higher administrative level.
Right to Equality
The protection of poor citizens’ lives cannot be downgraded simply because they rely on public hospitals instead of private hospitals, said the petition.
The petitioner has prayed before the Honorable Islamabad High Court to direct the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to remove the Executive Director of PIMS and MCH PIMS, Dr. Rana Imran Sikander from his post so that accountability for the deaths and for and administrative negligence can take place.
It prays to initiate strict action under service laws against all officers and employees found guilty of serious negligence, misconduct, or dereliction of duties and remove them from service; to direct the competent authority to review appointments at PIMS and the mechanism of appointing the Executive Director in accordance with law, merit, competence, and transparency, and take action in case of illegal appointment.
It also seeks for a court order for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct a thorough investigation into the fatalaities, prepare a forensic report, and register a case against Dr. Rana Imran Sikander and others; and to issue other appropriate legal orders to ensure the protection and security of innocent human lives and accountability within public healthcare systems.