Breaching fire codes
Listen to article
The massive blaze that engulfed Millennium Mall on Karachi's Rashid Minhas Road, gutting over 500 shops and threatening nearby residential buildings, is indicative of a city operating in violation of its own safety laws. Despite the scale of the damage, this fire is not unprecedented.
Before this, a similar inferno tore through the Chase Store on Shaheed-e-Millat Road. These recurring disasters point to one central truth that commercial buildings in Karachi continue to flout fire safety codes with impunity, and authorities continue to look the other way.
Under the Sindh Building Control Ordinance and Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations, all commercial structures are legally required to maintain clear fire exits, install smoke detectors, provide fire extinguishers and undergo regular inspections by the fire department. Yet, enforcement remains almost non-existent. Millennium Mall, like many others in the city, lacked essential safeguards.
The fire intensified when it reached the chillers on the rooftop — an area often neglected in safety assessments. These are not unfortunate oversights. They are systemic failures. What Karachi desperately needs is a coordinated fire risk audit of all commercial complexes — especially malls, plazas and high-rise residential-commercial hybrids.
Occupancy certificates must be made conditional on compliance with fire codes, not merely on paper but through on-site inspections. No building should be allowed to operate without clearance from the civil defence and fire safety departments.
Moreover, penalties for non-compliance must be revisited. Token fines do little to deter developers and owners who cut corners to save costs. Where gross negligence is established, closures and criminal liability must follow. For a city of over 20 million people, Karachi's firefighting capacity remains woefully inadequate. Expanding fire brigade resource must be treated as a municipal priority, not a budgetary afterthought.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Breaching fire codes
Listen to article The massive blaze that engulfed Millennium Mall on Karachi's Rashid Minhas Road, gutting over 500 shops and threatening nearby residential buildings, is indicative of a city operating in violation of its own safety laws. Despite the scale of the damage, this fire is not unprecedented. Before this, a similar inferno tore through the Chase Store on Shaheed-e-Millat Road. These recurring disasters point to one central truth that commercial buildings in Karachi continue to flout fire safety codes with impunity, and authorities continue to look the other way. Under the Sindh Building Control Ordinance and Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations, all commercial structures are legally required to maintain clear fire exits, install smoke detectors, provide fire extinguishers and undergo regular inspections by the fire department. Yet, enforcement remains almost non-existent. Millennium Mall, like many others in the city, lacked essential safeguards. The fire intensified when it reached the chillers on the rooftop — an area often neglected in safety assessments. These are not unfortunate oversights. They are systemic failures. What Karachi desperately needs is a coordinated fire risk audit of all commercial complexes — especially malls, plazas and high-rise residential-commercial hybrids. Occupancy certificates must be made conditional on compliance with fire codes, not merely on paper but through on-site inspections. No building should be allowed to operate without clearance from the civil defence and fire safety departments. Moreover, penalties for non-compliance must be revisited. Token fines do little to deter developers and owners who cut corners to save costs. Where gross negligence is established, closures and criminal liability must follow. For a city of over 20 million people, Karachi's firefighting capacity remains woefully inadequate. Expanding fire brigade resource must be treated as a municipal priority, not a budgetary afterthought.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Express Tribune
SBCA withdraws Karachi order allowing commercial use of residential plots
Listen to article The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has withdrawn its notification permitting commercial activities on residential plots. A written statement confirming the withdrawal was submitted to the Sindh High Court by SBCA Director General Muhammad Ishaq Khuhro. The High Court was hearing petitions filed against SBCA's move to allow commercial use of residential plots. In its written response, SBCA stated that it was rescinding the notification issued on March 13, 2025. Following this, the court disposed of petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami and others. The petitions, submitted by City Council Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate and nine town chairpersons, argued that SBCA had amended the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations to change the definition of amenity plots. They contended that amenity plots cannot legally be used for purposes other than their original intent. The petitioners further claimed that the amendment removed 'healthcare' from the list of approved uses for amenity plots and that residential land was being repurposed for education, healthcare, and recreational use without public consent. They argued that the revision also eliminated the public's right to object to land transfers. Separately, SBCA has revoked the recent amendments made to the 2002 Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations. This reversal followed a policy review of the changes introduced through the March notification. According to the latest SBCA circular, the amendments have been annulled with immediate effect. The authority exercised its powers under Section 21-A of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979, and other relevant provisions. The circular was officially signed by Director General Muhammad Ishaq Khuhro.
Express Tribune
19-11-2024
- Express Tribune
IDEAS 2024: Pakistan's mega defence exhibition begins in Karachi
The 12th edition of the four-day International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 kicked off today at the Karachi Expo Centre. Organized by the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), the event will run from November 19 to 22. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif inaugurated the exhibition. The event showcases Pakistan's advancements in defence technology and aims to strengthen global partnerships. Compared to previous editions, IDEAS 2024 sees the participation of 17 new countries, including Iran, Italy, and the United Kingdom. A dedicated hall has been set up for start-ups to exhibit innovative defence solutions. Among the highlights is the introduction of Pakistan-made Haider tank and Shahpar-3 drone, reflecting the country's growing self-reliance in military production. The exhibition features 224 local and 333 international companies displaying their products. Over 55 countries are participating with their defence equipment and technologies. The venue spans six halls and three additional marquees to accommodate the expansive showcase. A Pakistan Defence Production Potential Seminar will also take place at a local hotel, exploring opportunities for growth in the sector. Karachi residents can look forward to a professional Karachi Show by the armed forces on November 21. However, Sir Shah Sulaiman Road, adjacent to the Expo Centre, will remain closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the event, according to DIG Traffic Ahmed Nawaz Cheema. Ideas 2024 traffic plan: Alternative routes after road closures As the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 kicks off today (Monday) at the Expo Centre in Karachi, the city's Traffic Police have announced the alternate routes for all vehicular traffic during the exhibition days. The exhibition, running until November 22, will prompt road closures and diversions around key areas like the National Stadium and Expo Centre from 7 AM to 7 PM daily. Key traffic restrictions include: National Stadium Flyover : Completely closed to all traffic. Stadium Road : Both the route from Agha Khan University Hospital to Hassan Square (on the left side) and the stretch from Stadium Signal to Hassan Square will remain closed. Sharea Faisal to Karsaz Road : No entry for heavy and commercial vehicles. Drigh Road : Heavy and commercial traffic must divert through Sharea Faisal. Millennium Mall to Stadium Road : Restrictions placed on heavy and commercial vehicles from entering Stadium Road. NIPA to Hassan Square : No entry for heavy and commercial traffic. Jail Chowrangi to Hassan Square : Heavy vehicles are prohibited. Alternate Routes for Heavy Traffic : Commercial vehicles are advised to use Shaheed-e-Millat Road or Teen Hatti Road. In addition, drivers will face diversions towards PPP Chowrangi and Shaheed-e-Millat Road, while heavy vehicles from Liaquatabad No 10 will be allowed only towards Teen Hatti. A special advisory urges the public not to park on main or service roads around the event area. For assistance or real-time updates, citizens can contact the Traffic Police helpline at 1915, WhatsApp at 03059266907, or follow updates on Facebook or FM Radio 88.6. To ensure smooth operations and heightened security, extra police personnel, including SSU commandos, have been deployed near Karachi's airport and surrounding areas. The Sindh police chief, Ghulam Nabi Memon, is overseeing the arrangements, with discussions ongoing to potentially designate the area as a 'Red Zone'. The event is expected to draw a large number of international delegates, making these measures crucial for its success.
