Issuing a three-day ultimatum for the installation of fire safety systems; failure to comply may result in closure
Preliminary findings indicate that gas had leaked and accumulated inside an enclosed space, creating a flammable environment. PHOTO: PIXABAY
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) on Tuesday moved to tighten fire safety compliance across Karachi, issuing notices to all commercial centers and making functional fire extinguishers mandatory in the wake of the deadly Gul Plaza fire.
SBCA’s Additional Director General Farhan Qaiser told this Express News that the authority had started issuing notices to all small and big commercial centers in Karachi.
“Fire safety systems must be in place. Fire fighting equipment must be installed within three days; otherwise these commercial centers will be sealed,” he said, adding that district officials had been instructed to strictly enforce the directives and non-compliance would result in sealing of premises.
He said the authority has asked all centers to submit reports confirming the availability of fire safety systems in their premises. Buildings lacking such systems have been instructed to immediately install the necessary equipment.
Read: Gul Plaza fire toll rises to 28 as DNA tests begin to identify victims
The move follows the catastrophic third-degree fire that engulfed Gul Plaza on Saturday night, killing at least 28 people, injuring dozens and leaving more than 75 missing.
Originally approved for 500 shops, the sprawling commercial complex eventually housed nearly 1,400 businesses, employed around 7,500 workers and received a daily footfall of up to 100,000 visitors. Basic fire safety equipment, officials said, was virtually non-existent.
More than 1,000 shops were destroyed in the fire, with the economic losses estimated at Rs2 to Rs2.5 billion per shop and around Rs100b in total. Authorities say the number of people could rise further due to the high number of missing persons.
A letter has also been sent to the municipal administration instructing it to conduct fire safety audits conducted by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. Builders who have failed to put in place adequate safety measures have also been given three days to comply.
Authorities emphasized that enforcement efforts were essential for public safety.
Commenting on the matter, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said in a statement on X that fire safety audits were carried out today in six buildings in the southern and eastern districts.
He urged building owners to ensure proper fire safety arrangements in their premises.
On the basis of KMC’s fire safety audit of various buildings, SBCA has started taking action. Letter with a list of non-compliant buildings has been sent to ABAD. Today, visits are also made to 6 buildings in the districts east and south pic.twitter.com/Y0hx5IdywM
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) 20 January 2026
