Pakistan Suspends Eight Officials After Deadly Infant Ward Fire

A woman walks out from the Mother and Child Health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad on August 27, 2026. (AFP)

09:37-30 August 2026 AD ـ 18 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

A woman walks out from the Mother and Child Health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad on August 27, 2026. (AFP)

Pakistan's prime minister said eight officials were suspended and called for criminal proceedings against them, after 14 infants were killed in a fire in the maternity ward of a hospital in the country's capital.

A preliminary report conducted by a four-person committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found the deadly blaze had engulfed the unit "within approximately two minutes" just after 6:30am (0130 GMT) on Wednesday, with a nurse only able to save one of the 15 infants in the hospital's care.

Among those suspended were hospital staff including its executive director and the head of the neonatal department, as well as the director-general of Islamabad's emergency services.

Sharif said late Saturday "those responsible for criminal negligence do not deserve any concession" and that they will be "brought to justice".

He also approved taking action against the company responsible for the hospital's security, without naming them.

Emergency services were called within six minutes of the fire breaking out, with the first rescue services arriving at the scene 15 minutes later, the report said.

Parents and other witnesses told AFP the response had been slow and guards had reportedly prevented people from leaving the building.

The hospital did not have detailed operating procedures or fire and emergency training, according to the preliminary report.

Two nurses, a woman security guard and another officer were in the ward when the fire started, but there were no supervising staff, the report stated.

Earlier Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that a spark from an air conditioner is believed to have caused the fire. The report clarified an ignition source is yet to be determined as the investigation continues.

Health Secretary Aslam Ghori, the country's top civil servant for the department, was sacked on Wednesday following the devastating incident.

Fires in large buildings are frequent in Pakistan, often due to poor safety laws and building codes as well as lax enforcement.

In January, more than 65 people were killed in a shopping center fire in the port city of Karachi.

At least 11 people were killed in another shopping mall fire in Karachi in 2023.

In 2012, at least 250 laborers died at a garment factory in Karachi.

Eritrean Information Minister Welcomes New Chapter of Cooperation With Washington

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel (X account)

Cairo: Khaled Mahmoud

16:03-21 September 2026 AD ـ 10 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Cairo: Khaled Mahmoud

16:03-21 September 2026 AD ـ 10 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Eritrean Information Minister Welcomes New Chapter of Cooperation With Washington

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel (X account)

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel welcomed the United States' decision to lift sanctions affecting his country, describing the move as reflecting "a reservoir of constructive political goodwill" and saying it could pave the way for a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, particularly in investment and trade.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the minister said the sanctions, which had caused significant economic damage to Eritrea, had sent an important message to the international community.

The United States recently ended the national emergency related to the crisis in Ethiopia, under which sanctions had been imposed on Eritrean entities and individuals over Eritrea's military role in the war in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The conflict ended with a peace agreement in 2022. Washington said the expiration of the emergency reflected changed circumstances underlying the measures.

The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control subsequently removed from its sanctions list entities and individuals designated under the relevant executive order. These included the People's Front for Democracy and Justice, Eritrea's ruling party, the Eritrean Defense Forces, and the Red Sea Trading Corporation, as well as Eritrean officials.

"Restoring Lost Opportunities"

In his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Gebremeskel said the sanctions that have now been lifted "were not justified by any criteria in the first place and caused significant economic damage."

"Lifting them sends an important message to the international community by removing a political impediment that was not conducive to investment and broader engagement," he said.

He said the details of future cooperation would be determined through appropriate channels and platforms, with a focus on investment and trade.

Asked about the role of Massad Boulos, the US president's senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, Gebremeskel said Boulos had met Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh on the sidelines of Saleh's recent visit to Cairo.

He said the previous meetings had been "initial discussions to lay the groundwork for broader talks at appropriate levels on comprehensive bilateral cooperation, with a focus on investment and trade," expressing hope that the lifting of the sanctions would accelerate those contacts.

On the immediate implications of lifting the sanctions, he said the move opens "prospects for restoring lost opportunities and moving forward quickly." He said Eritrea has advantages across multiple sectors and is open to investment in areas of mutual benefit, supported by an established legal and administrative framework.

He stressed that "Eritrea's international partnerships have always been based on sustainable ties that enhance mutual and equal benefits, while avoiding imbalanced advantages or structural dependency, principles that have become norms governing bilateral and multilateral cooperation."

Relations With Egypt

On relations with Egypt, he said: "Cooperation with Egypt has developed rapidly over the past decade, not only because of history and geography, but also because the two countries are located in a vital strategic region, particularly along the Red Sea maritime route, and share similar views on mechanisms for cooperation among coastal states to enhance the security of this waterway."

"Eritrea, Egypt, and other like-minded countries in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region have moved beyond slogans toward mechanisms for joint action to strengthen regional security and stability," he added.

He stressed that "the principles of the Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remain a key platform for multilateral cooperation," alongside convergence in positions on resolving the conflict in Sudan and the situation in Somalia.

On Eritrea's foreign policy priorities for the next phase, he said his country's policy "has always been consistent and transparent, based on building bilateral and multilateral relations within frameworks of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation."

He rejected describing Eritrea as "isolationist," calling the characterization "a false and malicious concept promoted by its critics" that contradicts the country's strategic geographic position, economic potential, and government policies.

"Asmera will seriously seek to capitalize on new diplomatic openings to advance its core national interests," he said.

World

CNN, MS Now, Politico Sue Donald Trump over White House Ban

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Asharq Al Awsat

15:50-21 September 2026 AD ـ 10 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

15:50-21 September 2026 AD ـ 10 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

CNN, MS Now, Politico Sue Donald Trump over White House Ban

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued President Donald Trump on Monday for banning them from White House grounds, saying it violated their rights under the US Constitution to cover him.

In a complaint filed in the Washington, D.C., federal court, the media outlets said Trump can't ban them solely because he dislikes what he calls their "negative" coverage, and reserve coverage for media who offer praise. They also said the public deserves "current and complete information" about their government.

"This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles," the media outlets said.

According to AFP, leading US broadcasters suspended the TV "pool" coverage in solidarity with CNN.

"The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting," ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC said in a statement.

TV broadcasters rotate responsibility for filming the president at some events.

World

US Refuses Visas for Iran UN Delegation Members

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivers a speech in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York (File photo/UN)

Geneva : Asharq Al Awsat

15:24-21 September 2026 AD ـ 10 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Geneva : Asharq Al Awsat

15:24-21 September 2026 AD ـ 10 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

US Refuses Visas for Iran UN Delegation Members

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivers a speech in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York (File photo/UN)

The United States has refused to issue visas for members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's delegation, including his communications team, for this week's trip to the UN General Assembly, Iranian state media reported Monday.

Pezeshkian will be the highest-ranking Iranian official to enter the United States since the Middle East war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

"In an unprecedented hostile move by the US government, (US President Donald) Trump has denied US visas to certain members of the president's high-level delegation, including members of his communications team," state news agency IRNA reported.

The Mehr news agency also carried the story, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency, and added that Pezeshkian will address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

The US has authorized the Iranian delegation to travel for the UN General Assembly but will, like last year, put restrictions in place.

Iran's delegation will not, for instance, be allowed to purchase luxury goods or other items, the State Department said on Thursday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, part of the delegation to the UN, left Iran on Sunday evening for a stopover in Qatar.

Iran says it has conveyed to the US, via Qatar as mediator, conditions for reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz oil and gas shipping route, which it has choked off since the war began.

The United States, in turn, is imposing a counterblockade of Iranian ports.

Pakistan Suspends Eight Officials After Deadly Infant Ward Fire

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