Pakistan PM suspends eight officials after deadly Islamabad hospital fire

Pakistan PM suspends eight officials after deadly Islamabad hospital fire

Health

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on 29 August ordered the suspension of eight officials at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad and launched criminal proceedings after a fire on 26 August killed 14 newborns. The blaze, which AP News said was sparked by an exploding air-conditioner, broke out in the maternity ward and trapped infants.

Families reported that the ward door was locked, slowing rescue efforts, according to BBC. In the aftermath, the health secretary was removed and a probe was set up, with a committee led by a retired federal secretary tasked with investigating the cause and reviewing fire-safety measures, AP News reported.

Actors

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Geo TV

Locations

Islamabad, Pakistan

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 55% Claims: 2
At a glance

Both claims are partially confirmed. The first claim, that on August 29, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the suspension of eight hospital officials after a fire at Islamabad's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences which killed 14 infants, is partially confirmed. The second claim, that on August 26, 2026, a fire in the newborn nursery of Pakistan's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences killed 14 infants, is also partially confirmed.

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Articles

August 29, 2026
1 total
Pakistan Prime Minister suspends eight officials after hospital fire kills 14 newborns
Pakistan Prime Minister suspends eight officials after hospital fire kills 14 newborns

AP News • 29 Aug 16:22

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the suspension of eight hospital officials and launched criminal proceedings following a fire at Islamabad's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences that killed 14 infants.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
August 27, 2026
1 total
Prime Minister appoints probe into Islamabad hospital fire that killed 14 newborns
Prime Minister appoints probe into Islamabad hospital fire that killed 14 newborns

AP News • 27 Aug 14:58

A committee led by a retired federal secretary will investigate the cause of a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences that claimed 14 infants, while officials review hospital fire-safety measures.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
August 26, 2026
4 total
Fourteen infants die in fire at Islamabad maternity ward, families allege delayed rescue
Fourteen infants die in fire at Islamabad maternity ward, families allege delayed rescue

BBC • 26 Aug 12:32

A blaze at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences' maternity unit killed 14 babies; witnesses say the ward door was locked and rescue response was slow, while officials dispute the lock claim.

Credibility 73% Manip. 9% Center
Fire at Islamabad Hospital Nursery Claims 14 Infant Lives
Fire at Islamabad Hospital Nursery Claims 14 Infant Lives

AP News • 26 Aug 10:16

A blaze caused by an exploding air-conditioner at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences killed 14 newborns, prompting a government investigation and the removal of the health secretary.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
14 newborns die in Islamabad hospital fire, authorities launch inquiry
14 newborns die in Islamabad hospital fire, authorities launch inquiry

NPR • 26 Aug 07:34

A fire in the newborn nursery of Pakistan's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences killed 14 infants, prompting an immediate multi-agency investigation.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Fire at Islamabad hospital nursery kills at least 14 newborns, PM orders probe
Fire at Islamabad hospital nursery kills at least 14 newborns, PM orders probe

Al Jazeera • 26 Aug 04:29

A blaze at the Mother and Child Centre of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad killed at least 14 newborns, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an investigation and promise strict action against those responsible.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center

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