A province-wide fire safety inspection has revealed alarming deficiencies in commercial buildings across Punjab, officials confirmed on Wednesday, following the deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi that claimed over 50 lives.
Widespread Safety Failures Identified
The Punjab Emergency and Rescue Department surveyed 2,214 plazas, markets, and shopping malls throughout the province. Findings showed that 1,722 buildings fell into the lowest ‘D’ safety category, lacking essential fire safety measures such as alarms, sprinkler systems, and clearly marked emergency exits.
Lahore Emerges as Highest-Risk Area
Lahore topped the list of high-risk areas, with 682 buildings classified as D-grade and 13 structures deemed completely unsafe for occupancy. Officials warned that these shortcomings pose a severe risk of property damage and loss of life in the event of a major fire.
Few Buildings Meet Safety Standards
The survey found that only 65 buildings across Punjab achieved A-grade fire safety compliance, while 129 received B-grade ratings and 284 were categorized as C-grade.
Call for Urgent Fire Safety Upgrades
Authorities emphasized the need for immediate action to improve fire safety measures in commercial spaces to prevent disasters similar to the Gul Plaza fire. Rescue teams continue their work identifying victims, with DNA testing underway for 86 people still missing.
