Administration orders 90-day probe of factories as teams probe Malikpur blast
FAISALABAD:
The divisional administration has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all industrial units and factories across Faisalabad Division to assess the condition and capacity of boilers and pressure vessels following last week’s deadly factory explosion in Malikpur area.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar, attended by officials from the industries, labour, civil defense and environment departments along with representatives of private inspection firms.
Four private companies have been given 90 days to carry out inspections, including geotagging each industrial unit and verifying the availability of mandatory No-Objection Certificates (NOCs).
The commissioner noted that the division houses over 1,200 boilers and more than 6,000 pressure vessels, many of which may be outdated or operating without proper certification. He warned that expired or unmaintained equipment poses a serious risk of explosions and potential loss of life.
An enforcement committee has been established to ensure compliance.
Industrial units violating safety standards or lacking valid NOCs will be sealed without exception.
The Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) has been directed to inspect all units under its jurisdiction and submit a detailed report within 30 days with “zero tolerance” for negligence.
The intensified security drive follows the catastrophic explosion of steamer at a glue factory in Malikpur on Friday, which killed 21 people, including seven members of a family, and injured at least seven others.
The blast destroyed four nearby industrial units and nine houses.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif sought an urgent report on the incident. Subsequently, Commissioner Anwar formed a five-member inquiry committee, while Deputy Commissioner Capt.
Nadeem Nasir set up a separate panel of ten members to identify those responsible.
