Gul Plaza fire: SBCA starts fire safety inspection of buildings in Karachi

The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has started a fire safety inspection of commercial and residential buildings in Karachi in the wake of the Gul Plaza inferno.

The drive has been launched on the directions of Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.

As part of the drive, fire safety arrangements in 35 residential and commercial buildings were checked.

SBCA Director General Muzammil Hussain Halepoto said that inspections are focused on checking the functionality of firefighting equipment and emergency response systems installed in buildings.

He said that notices are being issued to buildings where shortcomings in fire safety measures are found. “Buildings that fail to install firefighting equipment and adopt required safety measures within the given timeframe will be sealed,” the SBCA chief warned.

Halepoto said the authority is strengthening safety measures to protect the lives and property of citizens. He added that inspections related to fire safety and emergency preparedness will continue across the city.

He further said that fire safety notices are also being issued to other important buildings, including 266 structures identified in a survey conducted by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

The SBCA said that in January 2024, KMC had already issued instructions to builders, building owners and trade unions to ensure fire safety standards. The authority said that ensuring fire safety is a shared responsibility of builders, property owners and unions.