City planners, engineers, and building plan experts gathered at a symposium on Wednesday raised serious concerns, stating that approximately 90% of all structures in Karachi, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, lack fire prevention and firefighting systems. They deemed this situation as ‘criminal negligence’ on the part of regulatory bodies such as the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), putting millions of lives at risk in the metropolis.
The experts highlighted data indicating that over 15,000 people lose their lives and suffer losses exceeding a trillion rupees annually due to fire accidents across the country. These incidents primarily occur in urban areas, where a majority of structures are raised in violation of defined building rules.
The National Fire Safety Symposium & Risk-Based Awards, organized by the Fire Protection Association of Pakistan (FPAP), served as a platform for experts from across Pakistan to present papers, share experiences, and discuss fire prevention and safety.
The experts warned that the growing number of concrete structures without adherence to defined building codes poses serious threats to hundreds of thousands of lives. They urged the government to expedite the effective implementation of fire prevention and firefighting laws before the situation becomes irreparable.
Addressing the symposium, Sindh caretaker Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Revenue, Younus Dagha, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, estimating that around 90% of buildings lack fire prevention and fighting systems. He pledged to discuss and approve proposals for fire prevention and fighting in an upcoming SITE board meeting.
Caretaker Minister for Sports, Culture, and Youth Affairs, Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, highlighted the absence of firefighting systems and emergency fire exits in many hospitals and educational institutions, emphasizing the need for preventive measures.
Despite the urgency of the situation, FPAP President Kunwar Wasim expressed disappointment that the Building Code Fire Safety Prevention, prepared in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority, has not been effectively implemented since its passage in 2016.
Experts further pointed out that much of the existing fire protection equipment in buildings is ineffective, often installed to meet legal requirements without meeting required standards or undergoing necessary certifications for fitness and effectiveness. The symposium served as a platform to address these critical issues and call for immediate action to prevent future fire-related tragedies in Karachi.
