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Islamabad's Fire Safety Crisis: Most Buildings Lack Certifications

A survey by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has revealed that a majority of buildings in Islamabad lack proper fire safety certifications. The survey of 6,500 buildings was ordered following a deadly mall fire in Karachi that killed 79 people. CDA Chairman Ali Randhawa chaired a meeting where building owners were given a 15-day ultimatum to submit their safety certificates. Failure to comply will result in legal action under the CDA Ordinance and building control regulations.

Key Points: Islamabad Buildings Lack Fire Safety Certifications

  • 6,500 buildings surveyed
  • Majority lack fire safety certification
  • 15-day compliance deadline set
  • Legal action for non-compliance
2 min read

Pakistan: Most of capital Islamabad's buildings do not have fire safety certifications

Survey finds most Islamabad buildings lack fire safety certificates. CDA orders compliance after Karachi mall fire killed 79. Legal action threatened.

"majority of the buildings had not obtained approval for their fire safety plans - CDA Survey"

Islamabad, Feb 2

Most of the buildings in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, have not obtained fire safety certifications, local media reported citing the Capital Development Authority.

Following the massive fire incident in Karachi's Gul Plaza mall, the CDA conducted a survey of buildings regarding fire safety and hazard control in Islamabad. A survey of 6,500 buildings was conducted in Islamabad, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

In the survey, the CDA found that majority of the buildings had not obtained approval for their fire safety plans and the completion/fire safety certifications for these buildings were not been issued. During the survey, an inspection of 300 government buildings was conducted, according to the statement issued by CDA. The information was shared during a meeting chaired by CDA chairman Ali Randhawa at CDA headquarters.

"Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi had taken notice and directed the CDA to conduct a survey of all buildings in Islamabad regarding Fire Safety and Hazard Control at the earliest. In light of the direction all relevant departments, including the Capital Emergency Services and the Building and Housing Control Wing were directed to complete the survey immediately."

During the meeting, it was decided that building owners and occupants would be ordered to submit their Fire Safety and Hazard Control Certificates to the relevant offices of CDA's Building and Housing Control Wing within 15 days, otherwise, a legal action will be initiated against those who did not follow the order under the CDA Ordinance and the Islamabad Capital Territory Building Control Regulations 2020 (Amended 2023).

As many as 79 people were killed in the fire incident in Gul Plaza mall. A committee comprising the Karachi Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi and the Additional Inspector General Javed Alam Odho has prepared the final investigation report on the Gul Plaza fire, Pakistan's another leading daily The Express Tribune reported, citing local officials.

The report, which will be submitted to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, includes details regarding cause of the fire, firefighting and rescue operations as well as statements from victims, eyewitnesses, and emergency personnel. The fire erupted in a flower shop on the ground floor at 10:15 pm (local time) on January 17 and spread rapidly through air-conditioning ducts, with majority of fatalities occurring on the mezzanine floor.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Very sad to hear about the loss of life in Karachi. Fire safety is a basic right. It's shocking that even government buildings in the capital are not compliant. This shows a systemic failure in governance and accountability.
V
Vikram M
Tragic. 79 lives lost because of negligence. While this is about Pakistan, we in India must also check our own cities. How many malls and apartments in Delhi or Mumbai have proper fire exits and equipment? We often ignore safety until disaster strikes.
P
Priya S
Giving just 15 days to submit certificates after years of non-compliance seems like a rushed, knee-jerk reaction. The focus should be on proper, sustainable implementation of safety standards, not just ticking boxes to avoid legal action.
R
Rohit P
Heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones. Fire spreads so fast, especially in crowded places. Authorities need to conduct regular drills and public awareness campaigns, not just surveys after the fact. Stay safe, everyone.
M
Michael C
The report mentions the fire spread through AC ducts. That's a critical design flaw seen in many buildings here too. Modern architecture needs to integrate safety from the blueprint stage. Compliance should be non-negotiable for occupancy certificates.

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