A nurse’s split-second courage has become a symbol of hope amid tragedy. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif personally presented a cheque of Rs 1 crore to Razia Noreen, a nurse at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, honoring her heroic rescue of a newborn during a devastating fire in the hospital’s neonatal nursery.
The blaze broke out in the nursery on August 26, 2026, as fifteen newborns lay under care. Conditions turned catastrophic within minutes. Fourteen infants lost their lives. Amid the smoke and chaos, Razia Noreen ran into the burning ward without hesitation, emerging eight seconds later with the only surviving child cradled in her arms. She tried to go back in for the others, but the flames and thick smoke stopped her.
An official inquiry confirmed what witnesses already knew: Noreen risked her own life as the nursery deteriorated around her. In recognition of her bravery, the government conferred on her the Sitara-i-Khidmat, one of Pakistan’s highest civil honors, alongside the cash award.
The Prime Minister also ordered the suspension of eight hospital officials and directed criminal proceedings against those found responsible for the fire safety and emergency response failures that led to the tragedy.
As Pakistan mourns the loss of fourteen innocent lives and demands accountability for one of Islamabad’s deadliest hospital incidents in recent memory, Razia Noreen stands out as a reminder of what selfless service looks like. A nurse who, in eight seconds, gave a mother her child back.
A Woman of Courage. A Daughter of Nation. A Life-Saving Hero.
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