ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate suspension and removal of Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori following the deaths of newborn babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
According to Geo News, the prime minister chaired a high-level meeting to review the incident and expressed serious displeasure over the situation and the performance of the officials concerned.
The prime minister also ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish responsibility.
A special inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the incident. Former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan will head the committee, while Secretary Establishment Dr. Barrister Nویل Awan is among its members.
The committee is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the deaths, assess the response of the hospital administration and relevant authorities, and determine whether negligence or shortcomings in emergency and fire-safety arrangements contributed to the tragedy.
The development comes after a fire incident at the Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Centre of PIMS earlier in the day, which prompted a major emergency response by fire and rescue teams.
Further details are expected after the inquiry committee completes its investigation.
