Pakistan Prime Minister Honors Christian Nurse for Heroic Rescue During Hospital Fire

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Staff Nurse Razia Noreen on September 3, 2026, to commend her for her bravery during a fatal fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. During the August 26 incident, which occurred in the hospital's mother-and-child ward, Noreen entered a smoke-filled nursery to rescue an infant. While she successfully saved one child, 14 other newborns tragically perished in the blaze.

Noreen, who was preparing medication when the fire began, recounted that she rushed into the nursery despite the intensifying flames. CCTV footage captured her efforts to re-enter the ward to save more infants, though she was ultimately prevented by a sudden blast and thick smoke. Prime Minister Sharif presented Noreen with a check for 10 million Pakistani rupees, approximately $36,000, and praised her as a "daughter of the nation."

The tragedy has led to significant public outcry and a government inquiry, which identified critical failures in the hospital's fire safety protocols. Consequently, eight officials have been suspended, and disciplinary actions are underway as authorities investigate the emergency response.