Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed a comprehensive fire safety audit of major government, private and commercial buildings across the province, officials confirmed on Sunday. The move is aimed at strengthening safety standards and better protecting public life and property.
The decision was taken during a high‑level meeting at the CM House in Karachi, where authorities outlined a detailed plan to assess and improve fire safety systems in key buildings. An initial 2,368 buildings have been identified for inspection as part of the first phase of the audit.
Under the plan, buildings in all major divisions of Sindh will be reviewed. According to government figures presented at the meeting:
Sukkur has 898 buildings earmarked for audit
Karachi has 562
Hyderabad has 540
Shaheed Benazirabad has 171
Larkana has 143
Mirpurkhas has 54
The chief minister emphasised that fire safety compliance is now mandatory, stating that all government, private and commercial structures must be equipped with appropriate fire prevention and response systems. These include clearly marked emergency exits, unobstructed entry and exit routes, and functional fire safety equipment.
As part of the audit process, authorities will carry out inspections of fire alarm panels, portable fire extinguishers and emergency signage as immediate measures. In the short term, installation and operationalisation of smoke detectors, central alarm systems and hydrants will be ensured. The long‑term strategy includes rectification of electrical wiring and the installation of automatic fire suppression systems in buildings where needed.
Mr Shah instructed officials from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to meet with building management teams and provide clear timelines for implementing safety measures, categorised into immediate, short‑term, medium‑term and long‑term actions. Authorities have indicated that action will be taken if buildings fail to meet required timelines.
In addition to fire safety audits, the chief minister directed that basements and mezzanine spaces approved for car parking must be used only for that purpose, with other uses such as shops or storage considered inappropriate without proper approval.
The provincial government also approved the resumption of annual safety inspections of commercial buildings, a practice that had lapsed in recent years. These annual checks will include review of electrical systems, emergency access points, and other core building safety features.
Officials said the initiative reflects a broader effort to strengthen emergency preparedness at district and local levels, and comes amid wider concerns about building safety in urban centres. Recent surveys have found that many buildings in key cities lack adequate fire safety arrangements, underscoring the need for systematic inspection and compliance.
The meeting was attended by senior provincial ministers, municipal leaders, and representatives from relevant safety and administrative departments, including city officials and disaster management authorities.
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