Post–Gul Plaza Tragedy Spurs Nationwide Focus on Fire Safety Audits

KARACHI – Fire Safety

The deadly fire incident at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, which claimed 28 lives, has triggered renewed concern over fire safety standards in high-rise and commercial buildings across the country, particularly in major urban centres such as Karachi and Lahore. The tragedy has prompted both provincial authorities and industry stakeholders to reassess existing fire prevention and response mechanisms.

In this context, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday announced a comprehensive audit of all fire safety systems across the province. In an official statement, she said that new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) would be developed and fire safety systems strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The chief minister directed that government and private buildings be thoroughly inspected, particularly in view of risks associated with short circuits, which remain a leading cause of urban fires. She said complete safety checks would be carried out to ensure timely prevention of fire hazards. Maryam Nawaz emphasized that effective safety measures would be ensured in government offices, hospitals, schools and private institutions, adding that proactive steps were essential to avert loss of life and property.

Meanwhile, scrutiny of fire safety arrangements has also intensified in Karachi. The Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) Chairman Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi stated that installing fire safety equipment in all buildings within three days was not practically possible, as the required equipment was not readily available in the market.

Speaking during a televised discussion, he referred to a fire safety audit report issued on Tuesday evening, details of which have since emerged. According to Bakhshi, many of the buildings identified in the report are between 30 and 35 years old. He said that most buildings constructed by ABAD members over the last 15 to 20 years have incorporated fire safety measures, whereas older structures were built at a time when such requirements were not strictly enforced.

He added that builders of older buildings have now been advised to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. However, he stressed that retrofitting old structures requires time, technical planning and availability of equipment.

It may be recalled that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) had issued an ultimatum directing the installation of fire safety systems across Karachi within three days. SBCA has also formally conveyed this directive to the ABAD chairman through an official letter.

The recent developments indicate a growing realization among governments and stakeholders that enforcement of fire safety standards, regular audits and realistic implementation timelines are critical to preventing future tragedies in densely populated cities. – ER News Desk

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