Islamabad, Jan 23:
Only one out of more than 160 high-rise buildings in Rawalpindi district of Pakistan’s Punjab province complies with government-mandated fire safety regulations, local media reported on Friday, raising serious concerns about urban safety standards.
The revelation comes in the aftermath of the devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall, which has so far claimed at least 71 lives. Following the tragedy, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered a comprehensive survey of high-rise buildings and directed authorities to ensure the installation of fire hydrants and strict adherence to safety protocols. According to Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn, all sensitive areas were reassessed and departments instructed to enforce fire safety provisions.
As per the report, only one high-rise building adjacent to the mall fully met the prescribed criteria. The building is equipped with functional fire hydrants, emergency exits, fire alarms, detection and sprinkler systems, and has a trained in-house evacuation team capable of responding within a minute of an emergency.
District Emergency Officer (DEO) Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi, Sibghat Ullah, told Dawn that the district currently has 19 fire vehicles and more than 300 trained firefighters ready to handle emergencies. He outlined mandatory safety requirements, including emergency exit stairs, external and internal fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, alarm and detection systems, sprinkler systems, encroachment-free premises, and regular fire drills.
According to officials, 127 buildings that failed to meet safety standards were issued first notices. Of these, 82 were later served second notices, while 16 buildings received third notices. Only two buildings have reached the final notice stage, after which recommendations may be made to seal them if non-compliance continues.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has risen to 71, with rescue teams continuing search operations for the seventh consecutive day. Officials said 77 people remain missing, and the search through the debris is expected to conclude by Friday night. The massive fire, which broke out on January 17, is being described as Karachi’s deadliest blaze in over a decade.
