Serious flaws in fire safety arrangements across Karachi’s major commercial and high-rise buildings have raised alarm, with officials warning that more deadly incidents could occur if urgent action is not taken.
According to media reports, citing fire safety audit report, hundreds of buildings in Karachi lack basic fire prevention and emergency response measures.
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The report, prepared by the Fire Brigade Department and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), highlights widespread non-compliance with standard fire safety regulations in shopping malls, business centres, and high-rise structures.
The audit was conducted in 2023, following a series of deadly fire incidents in Karachi’s commercial buildings over the past several years, which have collectively claimed hundreds of lives.
READ: Karachi Gul Plaza Fire: Death Toll Rises to 23 as Search Continues
The findings were formally submitted to the Commissioner Karachi on January 1, 2024, but concerns remain over the lack of implementation of its recommendations.
According to the report, fire safety inspections were carried out in more than 235 buildings located along major commercial arteries, including Shahrah-e-Faisal, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Tariq Road, and Shahrah-e-Quaideen.
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These areas house some of the city’s busiest shopping centres and office complexes, attracting thousands of visitors daily.
The audit revealed serious deficiencies, including non-functional fire alarms, absence of sprinkler systems, blocked emergency exits, poor evacuation planning, lack of fire extinguishers, and untrained staff.
In many buildings, staircases were found obstructed, while emergency lighting systems were either missing or non-operational.
