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 the H-9 weekly bazaar two years ago, the concerned departments and agencies failed to effectively implement mandatory monthly fire safety audits in all markets, malls and malls in the federal capital, sources and official documents reveal.
The apparent failure of the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI), Capital Development Authority (CDA), District Administration and District Management Administration (DMA) to enforce these measures has once again come under scrutiny after another fire incident at the H-9 weekly bazaar.
According to official sources, following the major fire at the DMA-run H-9 weekly bazaar on July 10, 2024, the Prime Minister’s Office ordered strict corrective measures to strengthen fire prevention and emergency preparedness in all commercial areas of the federal capital.
A formal communication issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on July 22, 2024 stated that after reviewing the investigation report on the incident, the Prime Minister directed the CDA and MCI to conduct comprehensive fire safety audits of all merchant bazaars in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) during the first week of every month.
The directive stipulated that audits should be carried out in accordance with the Islamabad Fire Prevention and Life Safety Rules 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 the operational status of fire hydrants.
The communication further directed that all deficiencies identified during the audits should be rectified without delay through the relevant departments. Progress on corrective measures had to be reported periodically to the Ministry of the Interior.
The prime minister also directed the CDA and MCI to launch comprehensive training programs for firefighting personnel, procure essential firefighting equipment and ensure its regular maintenance.
Furthermore, the authorities were directed to prepare a comprehensive plan to establish an emergency rescue service across the Islamabad Capital Territory. Copies of the directive have been sent to Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, who also serves as 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 PAkGazette that critical fire safety infrastructure remains absent not only at H-9 Weekly Bazaar but also at 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, even though two years have passed since the prime minister’s directives were issued.
