ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday paid tribute to Nurse Razia Noreen in recognition of her services after she risked her life to save a child during the PIMS tragedy.

At least 14 newborns were killed after a fire erupted in the nursery of Pakistan’s largest public-sector hospital in Islamabad, prompting a high-level government investigation and the suspension of eight officials.

The prime minister honored Nurse Razia, saying, “The entire nation takes pride in your bravery and courage, and the entire nation salutes you.”

“You have done such a great deed that history will always remember you in golden words,” PM Sharif said.

The prime minister announced that Razia would be awarded the Sitara-e-Khidmat on March 23, along with a cash reward of Rs10 million ($36,086), in recognition of her service and bravery.

Following the incident, PM Sharif suspended eight officials over the deaths of 14 newborns in the fire at PIMS and directed that those responsible face departmental and criminal action.

Speaking to Arab News’ Pakistan edition in an interview at PIMS, Razia recalled the incident, saying she was preparing the newborns’ daily medication when she suddenly saw fire in front of her.

“As I closed the cupboard, I saw fire right in front of me … what came to my mind were two things, either save yourself or save the babies,” she told Arab News. “It was a matter of just two seconds.”

Razia said she quickly grabbed the underweight infant, identified at the hospital as “Baby of Asifa,” and carried the child out of the burning nursery.

“I quickly rescued him and came out. I said that he should be kept in a safe environment,” Razia said, recounting her desperate effort to save the newborn.

She added that she then tried to return to the nursery to rescue other children.

“As I came back from outside and was about to re-enter, a blast occurred,” Razia said. “Dr Rimsha and I tried our absolute best, we turned on our mobile flashlights, stayed low to the ground, thinking that even if something happened to us, we must save the babies.”

She said the intensity of the fire and smoke ultimately made it impossible to re-enter the nursery.

The 38-year-old nurse said the award and recognition meant little to her compared with the newborns she was unable to save.

“Has any mother ever saved a child with the expectation of getting a reward? I didn’t do anyone a favor. I saved those babies as a mother,” she said. “I wanted to save all the babies but I couldn’t. I could only save one.”

Razia also said she had struggled to sleep since the incident.

“I haven’t slept since that night,” the nurse added, speaking of the trauma that has stayed with her. “I take sleeping pills but even with medication, I can’t sleep.”

The deaths sent shock waves across Pakistan, with grieving parents and relatives gathering outside the hospital as police and security personnel were deployed around the facility.

The prime minister described the incident as “heart-wrenching,” reaffirming that the government had taken action against those responsible.

PM Sharif also directed the health minister and secretary to conduct a full investigation into the incident.

President Asif Ali Zardari described the deaths as an “extremely heartbreaking and irreparable loss” and called for those responsible to be identified and proceeded against according to law.



He stressed the need for effective fire-safety and emergency arrangements in hospitals, particularly to protect newborns and other vulnerable patients.



The international community reacted to the PIMS tragedy with condolences, while WHO offered support to bereaved families and UNICEF called for stronger fire prevention and safety standards in health facilities.