ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced financial compensation of Rs5 million each for the families of newborn babies who died in a tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
In a statement, the government expressed solidarity with the bereaved families, saying it shared their grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.
It acknowledged that financial assistance could not compensate for the loss of human lives, but said the measure was aimed at easing the difficulties faced by the affected families and providing some relief during their time of grief.
The government also assured the affected families that they would be provided with all possible support and assistance.
Read also: Parliamentary Caucus calls for probe into PIMS nursery fire
The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR) of the National Assembly has called for a transparent, impartial and comprehensive investigation into the tragic fire at the nursery ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which claimed the lives of 14 newborns.
In a statement, the caucus expressed deep concern over the incident and urged authorities to conduct an independent review of all circumstances surrounding the fire. It called for those responsible for any negligence or lapses to be identified and held accountable in accordance with the law.
The caucus said the investigation should examine the cause of the fire, safety arrangements at the hospital, emergency response procedures and the role of relevant officers and staff.
PCCR Convener and MNA Dr Nikhat Shakeel expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families who lost their newborn children, saying the deaths had caused an irreparable loss and profound grief to the parents.
The statement emphasised that protecting newborns and other vulnerable children is a state and institutional responsibility. It called for effective implementation of safety standards, improved emergency preparedness and stronger institutional accountability to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
