Islamabad high-rises at severe fire risk, survey reveals

ISLAMABAD: An initial survey of high-rise buildings in the federal capital has revealed alarming gaps in fire safety, raising concerns about potential risks to residents and office workers.

According to sources, Islamabad has more than 500 high-rise buildings, but over half of them lack basic fire safety equipment. While buildings in the city’s Blue Area were found to have relatively satisfactory fire safety measures, multiple high-rises in the Red Zone were discovered without functional fire alarms or firefighting equipment.

The survey also highlighted serious deficiencies in the Federal Secretariat blocks, where the shortage of fire alarms and suppression systems could lead to significant losses in case of an emergency.

High-rise buildings in areas such as Karachi Company, F-11, F-10, G-13, and G-14 were also reported to have inadequate or ineffective fire safety arrangements.

Sources said the responsibility for inspecting fire safety in high-rise buildings falls under the CDA’s Building Control Section, but a lack of practical enforcement has left residents exposed to severe risks.

Local residents have demanded comprehensive inspections of all high-rise buildings and strict implementation of fire safety regulations to prevent any potential major disasters in the city.

Recent fires in Lahore and Karachi highlight urban fire safety risks

Two major fires in Pakistan’s largest cities in recent days have reflected persistent fire safety challenges in high-density urban areas.

In Lahore, a blaze broke out at a 17-floor hotel in the Gulberg area on Saturday during a college event, prompting emergency evacuations. Meanwhile, Karachi continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Gul Plaza fire, one of the deadliest recent incidents in the city. Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khoso, described the building’s condition as extremely fragile, with rescue operations proceeding cautiously. He confirmed that at least 70 people have died, with forensic teams working to identify victims through conventional and DNA-based methods. Around 40 percent of the building has been demolished.

Both incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter fire safety regulations, better preparedness, and effective enforcement in Pakistan’s urban centers, where high-rise buildings and crowded commercial areas continue to face significant risks in the absence of robust preventive measures.