Pakistan holds fire safety drills after deaths of 14 newborns
In Islamabad, Pakistan, following a fire in the gynecology department of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which killed 14 newborns, fire safety drills were held at state institutions. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) organized a special drill in the parliament building, while Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court held a one-day training session for employees.
As Dawn reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was presented with an interim report on the PIMS fire last week. The document stated that the hospital lacked detailed standard operating procedures and staff training for responding to fires and other emergencies.
Drill at parliament
During the drill, the CDA simulated a fire inside the parliament building. Its purpose was to test evacuation procedures, emergency response, timely communication with the relevant authorities, rescue operations and other safety measures.
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Parliament officials and employees took part in the drill. The event also made it possible to review existing emergency response mechanisms and identify areas for improvement. According to government representatives, such exercises are intended to strengthen institutional preparedness, security systems and the protection of people in emergencies.
Training for court employees
At Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court, the session was held with the participation of Judge Ali Baqar Najafi, Registrar Mohammad Hafeez Ullah Khan and the institution’s employees. Mohammad Ahsan, director of the CDA Metropolitan Emergency Response Service, told participants about Islamabad’s response system and the procedure for coordinating actions in emergencies.
Assistant Director Tariq Masood provided information on the nature and classes of fires, methods of extinguishing them, personal safety rules, safe evacuation and emergency action planning. Participants also underwent practical training in the correct and safe use of fire extinguishers. Judge Najafi noted that the session was intended to review existing safety measures and identify ways to further improve them.
