Pakistan, Aug. 28 -- Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho has announced a complete smoking ban in hospitals. She said the measure aims to reduce the risk of fires at healthcare facilities. The announcement came during a press briefing in Karachi on Friday.

The minister said authorities are also reviewing safety arrangements at older hospitals across Sindh. They are replacing electrical lines and circuit breakers in older facilities. Firefighting equipment has also been installed in hospitals, she added.

Dr Pechuho said hospitals would conduct regular fire drills to improve emergency preparedness. She stressed that smoking restrictions could help prevent fire incidents inside healthcare facilities. Her comments followed the recent...