Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered a province-wide fire safety audit of major government, private, and commercial buildings to strengthen public safety and prevent fire-related disasters.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister House, attended by senior ministers, top officials, and representatives of key departments.
The chief minister approved a comprehensive plan to inspect important buildings across Sindh, starting with an initial list of 2,368 structures.
He directed authorities to enforce strict timelines for compliance and warned that firm action would be taken against buildings that fail to meet safety standards. Officials said the initiative aims to institutionalise fire safety protocols and protect lives and property across the province.
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During the meeting, Murad Ali Shah stressed that fire safety is no longer optional for any building. He said all commercial, private, and government facilities must be equipped with modern fire prevention systems.
Clearly marked emergency exits and unobstructed entry and exit routes were declared mandatory. The chief minister also emphasised the need to strengthen emergency preparedness at district and taluka levels to handle unforeseen incidents effectively.
According to official data, the initial audit will cover 898 buildings in Sukkur, 562 in Karachi, 540 in Hyderabad, 171 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 143 in Larkana, and 54 in Mirpurkhas.
The government has approved a three-phase implementation plan with a phased timeline for compliance to ensure systematic execution of safety measures.
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Immediate actions will include inspection of fire alarm panels, portable extinguishers, and emergency signage.
In the short term, authorities will ensure the installation and operationalisation of smoke detectors, central alarm systems, and hydrants. The long-term plan involves complete rectification of electrical wiring and the installation of automatic fire suppression systems in key buildings.
The chief minister directed the chief secretary to ensure coordination between the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and building managements.
Each building will be given a specific timeframe to implement immediate, short-term, medium-term, and long-term safety measures. In case of non-compliance, strict action will be taken under the law.
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Murad Ali Shah also ordered that basements and mezzanines approved for parking must be used strictly for that purpose and not converted into shops or storage areas.
He further approved the resumption of annual safety inspections of commercial buildings, which had been discontinued for years. Authorities were instructed to conduct regular electrical inspections and ensure functional emergency exits.
The chief minister directed SBCA and PDMA to issue strict notices to non-compliant buildings and ensure that safety standards are implemented without compromise.
