ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met nurse Razia Noreen, who saved a newborn’s life during a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), and handed her a Rs10 million cheque in recognition of her extraordinary bravery and sense of duty.

The prime minister said the nation acknowledged the courage and bravery shown by Razia Noreen and that she was a source of pride for the country. He said she performed her duty with great courage and daring, without caring about her own safety.

He said the mother of the child she had saved would remember her in her prayers for the rest of her life. The prime minister announced that Razia Noreen would be conferred the Sitara-i-Khidmat on March 23 in recognition of her services.

The prime minister said all those responsible for the fire incident at Pims would face strict action and that the government would make every effort in this regard. He said he had asked the concerned federal minister to fully review the hospital and ensure proper restructuring of the facility.

In her remarks, Razia Noreen said she was carrying out her responsibility, as people had entrusted the children to her at that moment and the responsibility rested on her shoulders.

She said she was happy to receive such recognition and considered herself a role model for all nurses, adding that her fellow nurses worked with the same dedication and hard work. She said it was a heartrending incident and that she had tried to save as many other children as possible, but due to the emergency situation she was able to save only one child.

Razia Noreen said that on seeing the fire, she did not think of anything and went straight inside. She said she also instructed another nurse to save the children, who in turn helped rescue people from outside, including postnatal mothers, some of whom had undergone operations.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2026