Dangerous work: Firefighters try to put out a fire at a detergent factory in SITE area of Karachi on Tuesday. Photo: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
Despite directives issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following the devastating fire at H-9 Weekly Bazaar two years ago, relevant departments and agencies have failed to effectively implement mandatory monthly fire safety audits of all markets, malls and shopping malls in the federal capital, official documents and sources have revealed.
The apparent inability of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the district administration and the District Management Administration (DMA) to enforce these measures has once again come under scrutiny after yet another fire incident at the H-9 Weekly Bazaar.
According to official sources, following the major fire incident on July 10, 2024 at H-9 Weekly Bazaar run by DMA, the Prime Minister’s Office has ordered strict remedial measures to strengthen fire prevention and emergency preparedness in commercial areas of the federal capital.
An official communication issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on July 22, 2024 stated that after reviewing the incident investigation report, the Prime Minister had directed the CDA and MCI to conduct comprehensive fire safety audits of all commercial bazaars in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) during the first week of every month.
The directive stated that audits should be carried out in accordance with the Islamabad Fire Prevention and Life Safety Regulations, 2010, as well as internationally recognized fire safety standards.
Inspections were to cover fire escape routes, fire extinguishers, electrical wiring, storage of flammable materials, emergency response training and operational status of fire hydrants.
The communication further stated that all deficiencies identified during the audits should be rectified without delay through the relevant departments. Progress on corrective measures was to be regularly reported to the Home Office.
The Prime Minister also directed the CDA and MCI to launch comprehensive training programs for firefighting personnel, procure essential firefighting equipment and ensure regular maintenance of the same.
In addition, the authorities have been tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to establish an emergency rescue service throughout the Islamabad Capital Territory. Copies of the directive were forwarded to the Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, who is also the Chairman of the CDA.
Repeated attempts to contact the DMA director for comment were unsuccessful. However, a senior official, while confirming the authenticity of the Prime Minister’s directive, told The Express PK Press Club that critical fire safety infrastructure remains absent not only at the H-9 weekly bazaar but also at the G-6 weekly bazaar.
The official revealed that neither market was equipped with functional fire hydrants, smoke detection systems, dedicated water points, tube wells, automatic fire extinguishing systems or fire detection mechanisms for stalls and shops, despite two years since the Prime Minister’s directives were issued.
