In the early hours of Wednesday, a devastating fire broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad, one of the main state-run hospitals in the city. The blaze, which originated from an air-conditioning unit on the third floor of the mother and child unit, tragically claimed the lives of 14 infants. Witnesses report a long wait for rescue workers as chaos ensued, with some claiming the maternity ward's door was locked. The hospital, however, insists that the door was manned to protect the babies from theft, a problem reported in government hospitals before. The survivors allege inadequate safety protocols and a lack of fire extinguishers and proper exits. Pakistan has faced numerous major fires recently, with poor safety laws often contributing to high death tolls. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his condolences and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. The Federal Health Secretary, Aslam Ghauri, has been suspended in response. This heart-wrenching incident highlights the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in Pakistan's hospitals.