Key points:

  • A fire erupted in the Mother and Child Health ward’s nursery at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on 26 August 2026, killing fifteen newborns.
  • Grieving parents have urged the federal health ministry and law‑enforcement agencies to carry out DNA testing to confirm each infant’s identity before burial.
  • The incident has prompted a formal inquiry by the Capital Territory Police and a separate forensic review ordered by the Ministry of Health.
  • PIMS officials have assured full cooperation with any investigative or forensic procedures requested by the authorities.

The blaze broke out at approximately 6:45 a.m. while the nursery was still occupied by newborns and nursing staff. According to early reports, the fire originated in an electrical panel within the Mother and Child Health ward, quickly spreading to the adjoining infant care rooms. Hospital personnel managed to evacuate most of the children, but the rapid development of the flames and smoke trapped fifteen infants who later succumbed to burns and inhalation injuries. The tragic loss has reignited public concern over safety standards in Pakistan’s tertiary care facilities, many of which operate beyond their intended capacity.

In the aftermath, families of the deceased infants have taken to the streets and social media, demanding DNA verification of the victims. “We need certainty that the little ones we lost are truly our children,” said Ayesha Khan, whose newborn was among those killed. The parents argue that definitive identification is essential for performing proper religious rites and for pursuing legal accountability against any negligence that may have contributed to the fire.

The federal health ministry announced the formation of an investigative team that will examine the electrical systems, fire‑safety protocols, and staffing records at PIMS. Simultaneously, the Capital Territory Police have opened a criminal inquiry to determine whether any breach of safety regulations occurred. Hospital director Dr. Faisal Ahmad has pledged that the institution will comply with all forensic requests, including DNA sampling of the deceased infants and any surviving tissue, to facilitate the families’ closure and to assist the investigation.

The incident comes at a time when Pakistan’s health sector is under pressure to modernise ageing infrastructure and to meet rising demand for specialized maternal‑child care. Stakeholders warn that without swift remedial action and stricter enforcement of safety codes, similar tragedies could recur, eroding public trust in public hospitals that serve the most vulnerable segments of society.