RAHIM YAR KHAN: A fire broke out in the operating theatre of Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) during a surgical procedure on Saturday morning, triggering panic among patients and hospital staff.
Reports said some doctors and members of the paramedical staff were performing an operation in one of the hospital’s operating theatres during the early hours of Saturday when a fire broke out in the electrical wiring, causing smoke to spread throughout the theatre. The doctors and paramedical staff immediately suspended the procedure and shifted the patient to a safer location.
A senior doctor at SZMCH, requesting anonymity, told this correspondent that a fire had broken out in the same theatre in Phase-II around 10 days ago, but the incident was not disclosed. The doctor said that the same shift of doctors and paramedical staff had been performing their duties in the theatre at the time of that incident as well.
The doctor further alleged that the latest fire incident might have been the result of a conspiracy due to internal differences between the hospital administration and the medical college administration.
SZMCH focal person and Deputy Medical Superintendent Rana Ilyas Ahmed said the fire was caused by a short circuit. He said the hospital staff responded immediately and adopted an appropriate strategy to control the blaze.
He added that, immediately after the incident occurred, security personnel, with the assistance of doctors and paramedical staff, demonstrated a professional and vigilant response and brought the fire under control using firefighting equipment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zaheer Anwar Jappa took notice of the incident and directed Assistant Commissioner Abdul Hannan Khan to ascertain the cause of the fire. The DC also sought a detailed report containing the facts and findings of the incident.
Later, the DC convened a meeting with district administration officers, the CEO of the District Health Authority, and representatives of other relevant departments to review arrangements for dealing with emergency situations in government hospitals across the district.
The DC directed the officers to ensure regular monitoring of firefighting equipment, emergency response mechanisms, staff training, sanitation, and other administrative arrangements to ensure preparedness for emergencies.
LIVESTOCK: Ten livestock, including cows and buffalo calves, died while around 25 were said to be critical in a farm at Chak 96-P on Saturday.
According to unconfirmed reports, the animals were affected when they were vaccinated by a local livestock vaccinator.
The DC sought a detailed report on the issue from the livestock additional director who started the initial investigations after reaching village 96-P with a mobile laboratory and a team of doctors.
Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2026
