KARACHI:
The Judicial Commission investigating the Gul Plaza tragedy recorded the statement of architect and urban planner Arif Hasan. The commission also directed a fire official of Ranchore Line fire station to report to the secretariat and record his statement.
According to details, the Judicial Commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal, heard the statement of Arif Hasan, who appeared before the commission and shared his expert opinion on building safety and fire prevention measures.
In his statement, Arif Hasan stated that architects must ensure adequate safety measures in the design of buildings.
He emphasized that fire prevention also requires the correct maintenance of electrical installations and the safe storage of LPG cylinders and other flammable materials. He noted that even large shopping centers often lack smoke detectors and that simply installing an alarm system is not enough; Periodic fire drills are also essential.
In addition, he stressed that safe and timely evacuation during a fire is of vital importance, and that emergency exits must be clearly marked and kept open. According to regulations, fire extinguishers must be available on each floor and buildings must be equipped with water sprinkler systems throughout. He added that safety equipment must be checked and maintained periodically to keep it operational. Arif Hasan said public awareness and education are essential to prevent such tragedies. He suggested that children should receive safety training in schools and that the public should be informed about how to respond in the event of a fire. Buildings must also maintain adequate water storage for firefighting.
He noted that fire-resistant walls should be used in industrial buildings.
During the proceedings, Justice Agha Faisal noted that the SBCA had stated that its laws do not allow supervision of buildings after completion. The commission was informed that the SBCA can only take action against illegal construction when a complaint is filed. He also referred to an explosion that occurred in a four-story building built on a 35 square meter plot of land in Soldier Bazaar.
Arif Hasan further explained that in informal settlements, multi-story buildings are often built on very small plots and many studies carried out by government institutions are not reliable.
