A stark audit in Rawalpindi reveals a dire fire safety gap: from more than 160 high-rises, solely one adheres to regulations. Local outlets broke the story, intensifying scrutiny after Karachi’s lethal mall fire.
The survey stemmed from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s post-Gul Plaza directives, urging hydrant retrofits and zone-specific reviews. Compliance mandates now carry the weight of strict oversight.
Dawn highlighted the standout structure near the mall, armed with top-tier safety features including hydrants, escape routes, alarms, detectors, sprinklers, and a minute-ready team. Rescue official Sibghat Ullah touted station readiness with vehicles and firefighters aplenty.
Core rules enforce staircases, hydrants, free access, extinguishers, systems for detection and suppression, plus drills. Violation notices cascade: 127 first-stage, 82 escalated, 16 critical, two terminal—with sealing imminent for holdouts.
Karachi updates show the toll at 71 after new remains surfaced, 77 missing as final sweeps proceed. Deputy Commissioner Khoso anticipates end by late Friday. Seven days on from the explosive January 17 outbreak, it stands as Karachi’s deadliest blaze in years.