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Shehbaz Sharif suspends eight officials following fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences that killed 14 newborns

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the suspension of eight officials and initiated criminal proceedings against those responsible for a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The fire, which occurred on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital, killed 14 newborns, with only one infant rescued by a nurse. An interim inquiry report revealed that the nursery lacked a fire alarm and sprinkler system, and the hospital lacked detailed emergency procedures. The report noted that supervisory staff were not on duty when the fire began, and emergency services were not called until six minutes after the start of the blaze. Shehbaz Sharif approved a state award for the nurse who risked her life to save the sole survivor. The administration also announced compensation of 5 million rupees for each bereaved family. The prime minister directed the health minister and health secretary to oversee improvements at the hospital and accelerate reforms in the health sector.

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