PIMS Tragedy: Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri Suspended and Removed, Notification Issued

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suspended and removed Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri from his post following the tragic fire at the gynecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies.

According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Housing Secretary Captain (retd) Muhammad Mahmood has been assigned the additional charge of Federal Health Secretary.

The decision came after a fire broke out at the nursery of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS early Wednesday morning. The blaze was reported at around 6:45 a.m. Firefighters and rescue teams reached the hospital and brought the fire under control, but 14 newborn babies died, while one infant was rescued.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, during his visit to PIMS, said preliminary information indicated that the fire had started due to a short circuit. However, he said forensic experts were examining the scene to determine the exact cause. Some reports have also suggested a possible malfunction or explosion in an air-conditioning compressor.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said most of the newborns died due to suffocation caused by smoke. He said two doctors and two nurses were on duty at the time and remained safe, while the mothers of the newborns were also safe. Hospital staff managed to rescue one baby.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire, assess fire-safety arrangements and emergency response procedures, and establish whether any administrative negligence was involved.

The removal of the federal health secretary comes amid growing concerns over safety arrangements at PIMS following the tragedy. Questions have also been raised over fire-safety systems, emergency exits, electrical installations and other emergency preparedness measures at public hospitals.

The government has said that those found responsible for negligence or lapses will face action after completion of the investigation.

— Start of Image OCR: 1000978368.jpg — Based on the images provided, here is the exact text transcribed from both documents.

### Left Document

TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN PART-I

F.No.41/494/2025-E-I GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN CABINET SECRETARIAT ESTABLISHMENT DIVISION ***** Islamabad, the 26th August, 2026

NOTIFICATION

Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, a BS-22 officer of Secretariat Group, presently posted as Secretary, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division, is placed under suspension initially for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days in terms of Rule 5 of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 2020, with immediate effect.

(Zafra Khalid) Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan

The Manager, Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press, Karachi.

Copy to: – * The Adviser to the Prime Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Islamabad. * The Secretary to the President, President’s Secretariat (Public), Islamabad. * The Secretary, Cabinet Division, Islamabad. * The Secretary, Establishment Division, Islamabad. * The Secretary, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division, Islamabad. * The Special Secretary, Establishment Division, Islamabad. * The AGPR, Islamabad. * The Principal Information Officer, Press Information Department, Islamabad. * The Additional Secretaries/Joint Secretaries/Director (PD)/DCO, PS to Estt. Secy and RO (PD-Wing), Establishment Division, Islamabad. * The Director (IT), Establishment Division to upload the notification. * The officer concerned with the request to furnish a copy of charge relinquishment/assumption report to Director (PD)/DCO (PD-IV), and S.O (E-I), Establishment Division, Islamabad. * Notification File/Personal file of the officer.

(Zafra Khalid) Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan

*

### Right Document

TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE WEEKLY GAZETTE OF PAKISTAN PART-I

No. PF (747)/E-5 (PAS) Government of Pakistan Cabinet Secretariat Establishment Division ***** Islamabad, the 26th August, 2026

NOTIFICATION

Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Mahmood, a BS-21 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service, presently posted as Secretary, Housing and Works Division, under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973, is assigned additional charge of the post of Secretary, National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Division, in addition to his own duties, for a period of three months or till the posting of a regular incumbent; whichever is earlier, with immediate effect.

(Arslan Javaid) Section Officer to the Government of Pakistan

The Manager, Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press, Stadium Road, Karachi.

Copy to:-** * The Advisor to the Prime Minister on Prime Minister’s Office, Islamabad. * The Secretary to the President, President’s Secretariat, Islamabad * The Secretary, Cabinet Division, Islamabad. * The Secretary, Housing and Works Division, Islamabad. * The Secretary, National Health Services Regulations and Coordination Division, Islamabad * The Principal Information Officer, PID, Islamabad. * The A.G.P.R, Islamabad * Additional Secretaries/Joint Secretaries/Deputy Secretaries/ Director (PD)/Director (IT) and RO (PD Wing), Section officers concerned, Establishment Division, Islamabad. * The officer concerned with the request to furnish a copy of charge relinquishment/assumption report to the Deputy Secretary (E-I), Director (PD) and Section Officer (E-5/PAS), Establishment Division, Islamabad. * Notification File/Personal file of the officer.

(Arslan Javaid) Section Officer (E-5/PAS) Ph: 051-9203020 — End of Image OCR: 1000978368.jpg —