Saudi Arabia has joined a number of countries expressing condolences and solidarity with Pakistan after the fire at PIMS that killed 14 newborn babies (Geo News).
The messages
The Saudi Foreign Ministry extended its “sincere condolences and sympathy” to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan.
“The Kingdom expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and stands with the government and people of Pakistan in the wake of this tragic incident,” it said, reaffirming support at a time of profound grief and wishing the country continued “security and safety”.
Iran and Turkiye also conveyed messages of support, as did China, Spain, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The pattern of who responded
The three governments named first in Geo’s account are Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkiye — which is a notable grouping.
Saudi Arabia and Turkiye are Pakistan’s partners in the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7, under which an attack on one is treated as an attack on all. Iran is the state Pakistan has spent the month mediating for, with Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran on Monday discussing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan currently occupies an unusual position of being useful to all three at once, and the condolence traffic reflects it.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately hailed Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Pakistan and its role in regional peace.
At home
The messages arrived as the government faced sustained domestic criticism.
Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori has been suspended and removed. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said accountability should start with him. An inquiry committee under former interior secretary Shahid Khan was given 48 hours to report, and experts and politicians have demanded an independent probe.
Correction, 28 August 2026: this story originally said the prime minister’s inquiry committee was given 24 hours to report. The deadline for the interim report was 48 hours, as stated by Geo News, The News and Radio Pakistan. The text has been corrected.
