Islamabad, July 11, 2025: A fire broke out in the basement of Lahore’s busiest electronics hub, Hafeez Center, on Thursday, triggering widespread panic and raising serious concerns over fire safety protocols in commercial buildings.
Rescue 1122 confirmed the fire originated from the basement of the multi-storey plaza located in Gulberg. Within minutes, thick smoke engulfed the structure, which houses hundreds of electronics shops and offices.
Firefighters and emergency teams acted swiftly, launching evacuation and firefighting operations. No casualties were reported till the time of this report, but the damage to property remains unclear.
Initial investigations suggest an electrical fault caused the blaze — possibly due to exposed wiring and neglected maintenance. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as shopkeepers rushed to escape the smoke-filled corridors.
This is not the first time Hafeez Center has witnessed such an incident. A similar fire in 2020 led to major financial losses. Despite official recommendations, the plaza resumed operations without fully implementing the necessary fire safety upgrades or structural inspections.
Insiders claim the building was allowed to reopen under commercial and political pressure. “There has been a consistent failure to enforce basic fire safety standards,” said a rescue official, speaking anonymously.
Read More: Fire Erupts at Islamabad Factory Today
Adding to the controversy, Governor Punjab recently approved the reopening of another fire-hit building without full clearance — a decision now under fire following Thursday’s incident.
Read More: Mohmand Dam to Begin Power Generation by 2027
Experts warn that continued operations in such high-risk buildings without proper rewiring, fire clearance, and structural checks is not only reckless but also a major threat to public safety.
