PM Probes PIMS Nursery Fire; Toll Rises

A devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad tore through a newborn nursery on the third floor of the gynecology/maternity ward, killing at least 14 to 15 infants and injuring others. Authorities say the blaze was likely sparked by a fault in an air-conditioning unit’s compressor. Rescue teams conducted cooling operations as several babies were rescued or remained in critical condition. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and described the deaths as a tragedy involving children, while officials and watchdogs note ongoing safety and maintenance challenges at under-resourced public hospitals. The hospital and ward were cordoned off, and some reports indicate that identifying the deceased may require DNA testing due to severe burn injuries. Early casualty tallies varied across reports, underscoring the evolving, chaotic nature of breaking news and the potential for figures to change as hospitals confirm counts.