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91% Sindh Buildings Lack Fire Safety, High-Risk Structures to be Sealed

A Sindh government committee inspection has found that a staggering 91.3% of buildings in the province lack proper fire safety arrangements, with 889 declared high-risk. This follows a deadly fire in Karachi's Gul Plaza that killed nearly 80 people. Simultaneously, a survey in Islamabad revealed the majority of buildings there also lack fire safety certifications. Authorities in both regions are now mandating compliance and threatening legal action against non-compliant building owners.

Key Points: Over 91% Buildings in Sindh Lack Fire Safety Arrangements

  • 91.3% Sindh buildings lack fire safety
  • 889 structures declared high-risk
  • Islamabad survey shows widespread non-compliance
  • Legal action threatened for certificate delays
  • Inspections prompted by deadly Karachi fire
2 min read

Pakistan: Over 91 per cent buildings in Sindh lack fire safety arrangements

Sindh inspection reveals 91.3% buildings lack fire safety. 889 declared high-risk after Karachi fire. Islamabad survey shows similar crisis.

"owners and occupants would be ordered to submit their Fire Safety and Hazard Control Certificates... within 15 days - CDA statement"

Islamabad, Feb 13

An inspection of buildings conducted by the Sindh government committee has revealed that 91.3 per cent of the buildings in province lacked fire safety arrangements, Pakistani media reported on Friday.

The government has decided to seal high-risk buildings which were found by the committee in violation of fire safety laws in Sindh. The committee was set up after the fire incident in Karachi's Gul Plaza which claimed lives of nearly 80 people, injured hundreds and caused financial loss for thousands of people, Pakistan's leading daily 'The Express Tribune' reported.

During a high-level meeting on fire safety on Thursday, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah stated that inspections were conducted in 3,633 buildings in Sindh. He said that 889 buildings had been declared high risk due to serious violations, while owners and managements of medium- and low-risk buildings have been ordered to take measures to address safety shortcomings.

Earlier this month, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) revealed that majority of the buildings in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, have not obtained fire safety certifications.

The CDA conducted a survey of buildings regarding fire safety and hazard control in Islamabad following the fire incident in Gul Plaza. A survey of 6,500 buildings was conducted in Islamabad, another leading Pakistani 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, Dawn reported. The information was shared during a meeting chaired by CDA chairman Ali Randhawa at CDA headquarters.

The official statement said, "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).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Tragic that it takes a disaster claiming 80 lives for inspections to happen. This is a basic governance failure. Building codes and fire safety are non-negotiable, whether in Sindh or anywhere else. My heart goes out to the families affected.
V
Vikram M
While the focus is on Pakistan, we in Indian metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata must also audit our own buildings. So many residential complexes and commercial hubs are fire traps. Authorities here should proactively check, not wait for a tragedy. đźš’
P
Priya S
It's good they are finally taking action, but giving only 15 days to submit certificates seems rushed. Proper fire safety upgrades take time and money. The order should be enforced, but with a realistic timeline for compliance to ensure it's done properly.
R
Rohit P
Common citizens suffer due to corruption and negligence. Builders cut corners, officials look the other way after bribes, and people pay with their lives. This cycle is sadly familiar in South Asia. Strong, transparent systems are the only solution.
M
Michael C
The scale of the problem across two major regions—Sindh and Islamabad—is alarming. It points to a systemic issue, not isolated lapses. Hope this leads to lasting reform and not just a short-term crackdown after media pressure.

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