- Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered a province‑wide fire safety audit in Sindh, Pakistan, covering major government, private, and commercial buildings
- This follows a high‑level meeting at the CM House
- He described the move as essential to institutionalising safety protocols and better protecting public life and property
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered a province‑wide fire safety audit in Sindh, Pakistan, covering major government, private, and commercial buildings, following a high‑level meeting at the CM House. The initiative will begin with inspections of 2,368 buildings, with strict timelines for compliance and firm action against any violations.
The chief minister approved a comprehensive fire safety audit of key government and non‑government commercial buildings across the province, describing the move as essential to institutionalising safety protocols and better protecting public life and property.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Nasir Hussain Shah, Advisor Gian Chand Israni, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Additional IG Zulfikar Larik, Secretary Rehabilitation Nisar Memon, DG SBCA Muzammel Halepoto, DG P&D Altaf Saryo, DG PDMA Salman Shah, the Chief Fire Officer, and other senior officials.
During the briefing, the chief minister emphasised that a thorough audit of all key buildings is now essential. He said all commercial, private, and government buildings must be equipped with modern fire prevention systems. He also noted that clearly marked emergency exits and unobstructed entry and exit routes are mandatory in every facility. The objective, he added, is to strengthen emergency preparedness at both district and taluka levels to ensure an effective response to unforeseen incidents.
Immediate measures will include inspection of fire alarm panels, portable extinguishers, and emergency signage. Short‑term steps will focus on the installation and operationalisation of smoke detectors, central alarm systems, and hydrants. The long‑term plan, approved by the chief minister, involves complete rectification of electrical wiring and the installation of automatic fire suppression systems.
Murad Ali Shah directed the chief secretary to ensure that SBCA and PDMA teams meet with the management of important buildings and provide them with specific timelines to implement immediate, short‑term, medium‑term, and long‑term fire safety measures. In cases of non‑compliance, action will be taken accordingly.
He also ruled that basements and mezzanines approved for parking must be used strictly for that purpose, and not converted into shops, storage areas, or other unauthorised uses.
The chief minister further approved the resumption of annual safety inspections of commercial buildings, a practice that had been discontinued for several years. “Electrical and other inspections, including emergency exit and entry points, etc., will be ensured through inspections,” he said.
