Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Mahmood, a BS-21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, has been assigned the additional charge of Secretary National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division following the suspension of Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat’s Establishment Division on Wednesday, Mahmood will hold the additional charge under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973.
The additional responsibility has been assigned for three months or until the appointment of a regular incumbent, whichever is earlier, with immediate effect.
Mahmood is currently serving as Secretary, Housing and Works Division.
In a separate notification, the Establishment Division confirmed the suspension of Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, a BS-22 officer of the Secretariat Group who was serving as Secretary of the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division.
Ghauri has been placed under suspension for an initial period of 120 days under Rule 5 of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, with immediate effect.
His suspension follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to take action against officials following the deaths of newborn children in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an emergency meeting following the tragic fire at the PIMS nursery, where 14 newborns reportedly died.
During the meeting, the prime minister expressed serious concern over the incident and ordered strict action.
The PM Office Media Wing said Shehbaz suspended Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri and directed him to leave the meeting.
The prime minister also expressed condolences to the parents of the newborns who lost their lives and prayed for patience for the bereaved families.
Shehbaz described the incident as “deeply heartbreaking” and said the government shared the grief of the affected parents.
Also Read: Pims hospital fire report emerges, reveal details of safety negligence
Meanwhile, a high-level committee has begun investigating the PIMS fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Former interior secretary Shahid Khan is heading the inquiry committee, which will examine possible negligence and determine responsibility for the tragedy.
The investigation will also look into fire safety arrangements, the emergency response and the performance of relevant hospital and government officials.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said an investigation into the fire at PIMS Hospital is underway and vowed that no one responsible for the incident, including himself, would be spared.
Speaking to the media during his visit to PIMS Hospital, Kamal said CCTV footage showed a spark in an air-conditioning unit at around 6:38am. At the time, two to three nurses could reportedly be seen in the ward.
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He said the investigation would determine who was responsible for the incident and assured that no negligence would be concealed. Expressing condolences to the mothers who lost their children, he said those responsible would face consequences.
The health minister said he had been the first to present himself for accountability and stressed that anyone found at fault, including himself, would be held accountable.
“We are investigating the incident and nothing will be hidden. Everything will come to light,” he said.
