ISLAMABAD, Aug. 29 -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the immediate suspension of eight officials over the PIMS tragedy. He also ordered authorities to begin criminal proceedings against those responsible. The decision came during a high-level meeting on the incident. The meeting reviewed the preliminary findings of an investigation committee. Officials presented the committee's interim report to the prime minister. The report identified several individuals for immediate action.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the committee's recommendations during the meeting. He approved the suspension of eight people named in the report. The move signals a serious response to the incident at Pakistan Instit...