ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has been approached against the alleged non-implementation of fire safety laws in the federal capital following the death of 14 newborn babies in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

A citizen, Malik Naveed Ashiq Awan, through his counsel Advocate Afrasiab Ahmed Rana filed a petition with the IHC, making the federation, the chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), the chief commissioner, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Private Educational Regulatory Authority (Pera), Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Islamabad Food Authority, among others, respondents. The petitioner contended that 14 newborn babies were burnt alive in a fire at Pims on August 26, raising serious questions about fire safety arrangements at one of the capital’s largest public hospitals. The petition stated that Pims itself allegedly did not have a fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC) from the relevant fire department. It further alleged that several commercial, educational and medical buildings across Islamabad were operating without mandatory fire safety NOCs.

According to the petition, many buildings in the capital lack basic fire safety arrangements, including firefighting equipment, emergency exits and fire alarm systems, putting the lives of citizens at serious risk.

The petitioner urged the high court to direct the authorities to ensure strict implementation of the Islamabad Fire Prevention and Life Safety Regulations, 2010. The court has also been requested to order an immediate fire safety audit of all buildings in the federal capital and direct that buildings operating without fire safety NOCs be sealed.

The petitioner sought publication of an updated list of buildings operating without fire safety NOCs and requested that registration of educational, medical and food-related institutions be made conditional upon obtaining a valid fire safety NOC.

The petition also called for a regular inspection mechanism to monitor buildings and identify illegal and unsafe structures in Islamabad. Meanwhile, a separate petition has also been filed in the IHC, seeking an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) into the deaths of 14 newborn babies in the Pims fire incident. The petition, filed through Advocates Mohammad Waqas Malik and Bilal Mughal, names the federation, the Ministry of Health, the executive director Pims Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, FIA and CDA, among others, as respondents. The petitioner requested the court to order a comprehensive FIA investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and fix responsibility on those found responsible for the tragedy.

The petition sought custody and preservation of all relevant records, including CCTV footage of Pims, to ensure that crucial evidence is not lost or tampered with.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2026