ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said another official has been held responsible for the PIMS tragedy, taking the total number of officials held accountable to nine, all of whom have been dismissed from service.
Speaking on Geo News programme “Geo Pakistan”, the federal minister said eight people had initially been held responsible in the preliminary inquiry into the PIMS incident. He said the Ministry of Interior had been approached for registration of criminal cases against the eight officials.
Mustafa Kamal said the detailed inquiry report contained 33 recommendations, whose implementation would require some time. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had given three months to improve the fire safety system and structure at PIMS.
The federal minister said a new emergency department with 176 beds would become operational at PIMS within the next 15 days.
Commenting on broader administrative issues, Mustafa Kamal said the establishment of administrative units was, in his view, the only way to save and run Pakistan.
He alleged that provincial governments had retained all resources and powers after the 18th Amendment and said they were opposing changes to protect their political authority.
The latest remarks come after authorities began implementing recommendations following the PIMS fire tragedy. The Senate committee had earlier rejected the inquiry report and called for further action, while the prime minister ordered reforms at the hospital.