Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted nurse Razia Noreen at the PM House on Thursday to commend her bravery for rescuing an infant during a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) last week.
The blaze, which occurred early last Wednesday, claimed the lives of 14 infants and prompted calls for accountability from lawmakers in both houses of parliament. CCTV footage from the scene showed Noreen entering the nursery around 6:39 am, carrying a baby out to safety seconds later, and then attempting to re-enter the facility.
During their meeting in Islamabad, Noreen recounted how she discovered the fire while preparing medications. Spotting the flames after closing a cabinet door, she immediately rushed into the nursery without hesitation. She instructed a colleague to assist with evacuations outside the ward, where post-natal mothers were recovering, before carrying a small baby to safety and handing the infant over to Dr Abdul Rehman. Noreen noted that when she attempted to retrieve a second child, a sudden blast caused a total blackout.
Prime Minister Sharif praised Noreen’s actions, calling her a "daughter of the nation" and stating that her selflessness would be recorded in history. He affirmed that the entire nation takes pride in her service and noted that the saved child's mother would remain forever grateful. Noreen expressed that acting immediately was simply her professional duty as a nurse entrusted with caring for others' children, though she voiced regret over not being able to save the remaining infants.
In recognition of her duty and exceptional humanity, the Prime Minister formally approved a cash reward of Rs 10 million for Noreen. He also announced that she will be conferred the Sitara-i-Khidmat civil award on 23 March. Noreen thanked the premier and expressed her gratitude for the national honour.
