Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the arrest of two senior officials and suspended three doctors at Pakpattan’s District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital following the deaths of 20 infants between June 16–22. The tragedy sparked outrage and revealed systemic failures.
An internal inquiry, which initially investigated five infant deaths on June 19, ultimately revealed a total of 20 deaths, mostly among neonates, at DHQ Pakpattan. A three-member external committee was appointed to investigate claims of oxygen shortages and negligence. They found no evidence of oxygen scarcity, reporting that 45 cylinders were available.
According to Sahiwal Commissioner Asif Tufail. However, a leaked letter from Head Nurse Salma Tufail warned of supply issues, contradicting the official claims. Additionally, fifteen of the deaths were linked to referrals from unregistered private maternity hospitals.
MS DHQ Hospital, CEO Health arrested after deaths of 20 children in Pakpattan#ARYNewshttps://t.co/CWufRhn1hy
— ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) July 4, 2025During a five-hour surprise visit on July 4, CM Nawaz ordered the arrest of CEO Health Dr. Sohail Asghar and Medical Superintendent Dr. Adnan Ghaffar for negligence and concealment, with an FIR filed, per Geo News. Three pediatric doctors and three lab technicians, who were colluding with private labs, were suspended. Unauthorised hospitals—Al-Farid, Doctor, Shahid, and Ali—were sealed. Nawaz mandated “Code Red” and “Code Blue” emergency systems and a hospital equipment audit, criticising the unavailability of medicines despite a Rs100 billion budget.
Patients reported shortages of essential medications, such as aspirin, leading staff to require external purchases, according to Nawaz’s findings. The hospital breached Punjab Healthcare Commission protocols by lacking trained personnel and functional equipment.
