Nurse Razia Noreen to receive state honor for saving newborn from hospital fire

Nurse Razia Noreen is to be awarded the Sitara-i-Khidmat, or Star of Service, following her heroic actions during a devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Surveillance footage captured Noreen running into a burning third-floor neonatal nursery to rescue a newborn, emerging seconds later with the infant in her arms.

The fire, which broke out on August 26, claimed the lives of 14 infants in the ward. While Noreen successfully saved one child, she stated that the rapid spread of flames and toxic smoke prevented her from returning to save the others. She expressed deep emotional distress over the loss, telling media that the memory of the deceased babies haunts her.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the civilian honor and a state cash prize of approximately PKR 10 million. The award recognizes Noreen’s exceptional courage and selflessness in the face of extreme danger.