Dangerous job: Firefighters try to put out a fire at a detergent factory in Karachi’s SITE area on Tuesday. Photo: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
Despite directives issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following the devastating fire at the H-9 weekly bazaar two years ago, the concerned departments and agencies failed to effectively implement mandatory monthly fire safety audits of all markets, commercial centers and malls in the federal capital, official documents and sources have revealed.
The apparent failure of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Capital Development Authority (CDA), District Administration and District Management Administration (DMA) to enforce these measures has again come under scrutiny following yet another fire incident at the weekly H-9 bazaar.
According to official sources, following the major fire at the DMA-managed H-9 weekly bazaar on July 10, 2024, the Prime Minister’s Office ordered strict remedial measures to strengthen fire prevention and emergency response across the federal capital’s commercial areas.
A formal notification issued by the PM’s office on 22 July 2024 stated that after reviewing the inquiry report on the incident, the PM directed CDA and MCI to conduct comprehensive fire safety audits of all mercantile bazaars in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) during the first week of every month.
The directive stipulated that the 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.
The inspections were to include fire escape routes, fire extinguishers, electrical wiring, storage of flammable materials, emergency training and the operating status of fire hydrants.
The notice further directed that all deficiencies identified during the audits should be rectified without delay through the relevant departments. Progress with corrective measures was to be regularly reported to the Home Office.
The Prime Minister also directed CDA and MCI to launch comprehensive training programs for fire fighting personnel, procure essential fire fighting equipment and ensure its regular maintenance.
In addition, the authorities were instructed to prepare a comprehensive plan for the establishment of an emergency rescue service across the Islamabad Capital Territory. Copies of the directive were sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Interior and the Chief Commissioner Islamabad, who also serves as the Chairman of the CDA.
Repeated attempts to contact the director of the DMA for comment were unsuccessful. A senior official, while confirming the authenticity of the PM’s directive, told The Express Pakinomist 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 none of the markets have been equipped with functional fire hydrants, smoke detection systems, dedicated water points, tube wells, automatic fire sprinkler systems or fire detection mechanisms for stalls and shops, despite the fact that two years have passed since the PM’s directives were issued.
