Islamabad, Dec 18: City planners, engineers, and architects expressed serious concerns on Tuesday about the Sindh Building Control Authority’s (SBCA) failure to enforce building codes in Karachi, particularly in light of the increasing number of fire incidents. Speaking at the “Second National Fire Safety Conference and Risk-Based Award Ceremony,” experts highlighted the growing risk posed by illegal multi-story constructions, which are often lacking essential fire safety systems.
According to statistics, Karachi has experienced over 2,900 fire incidents in 2024 so far, surpassing the 2,228 incidents recorded in 2023. Experts predict that by the end of the year, the number will exceed 3,000. Alarmingly, approximately 70% of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in the city lack proper fire safety measures, posing a grave threat to millions of lives.
Kunwar Waseem, President of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), criticized the widespread disregard for safety regulations, calling for immediate action from both the government and business sectors. He emphasized that delays in addressing the issue are leading to unnecessary financial losses and risking human lives. “We cannot afford further delays,” Waseem stressed.
Tariq Moeen, Director of Training at FPA, highlighted that several prominent buildings on I.I. Chundrigar Road and Shahrah-e-Faisal, two major commercial areas, lack emergency exits, further exacerbating the safety risks. Meanwhile, Dr. Rizwan Naseer of Rescue 1122 called for nationwide fire safety training programs in schools and workplaces to enhance emergency preparedness and reduce casualties in the event of fires. The growing number of fire incidents underscores the urgency of enforcing building safety codes and improving public awareness about fire hazards.
