Karachi’s fire safety problem has many owners -I

                                                                                                          A social media video grab

Gul Plaza tragedy reinforces public perception that fire safety norms exist only on paper, not on the ground

By Mukhtar Alam

KARACHI: As Karachi grappled with yet another deadly blaze in a congested commercial hub — drawing anger, allegations, grief, and renewed questions over failures — stakeholders are holding up mirrors, urging a pause for reflection rather than ritual outrage.

The massive fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre on MA Jinnah Road on January 19 reportedly claimed over 70 lives, including shopkeepers and customers, leaving the multi-storey complex — housing more than 1,200 shops — almost entirely gutted. The tragedy has reinforced public perception that fire safety norms, long emphasised in policy and rhetoric, remain widely ignored across commercial and industrial buildings, with regulators and occupants alike sharing responsibility.

To identify failure points and explore realistic solutions, Social Track approached multiple stakeholders. Questionnaires were also sent to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), but no response was received from either institution till the filing of this report.

Experts agree the crisis is less about the absence of laws than their selective implementation. Without decisive action, they warn, gaps in fire prevention and enforcement will continue to haunt buildings — and the people inside them.

Where it breaks down

Dr Muhammad Imran Taj, President of Fire Protection Industry Pakistan, says many commercial buildings lack basic fire suppression infrastructure, particularly automatic sprinkler systems mandated under NFPA 13 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems). He also points to insufficient or blocked emergency exits, in violation of NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), and the near absence of regular fire drills and staff training.

“These gaps are compounded by weak inspection and maintenance regimes,” he says, linking the problem to enforcement failures outlined under NFPA 1 (Fire Code).

Dr Taj considers estimates that 70–80 per cent of Karachi’s buildings lack adequate fire safety systems to be credible, given rapid urbanisation and widespread regulatory non-compliance. While Pakistan has fire safety provisions, including the Building Code of Pakistan (Fire Safety Provisions, 2016), he notes that these are partially outdated and inconsistently enforced, with limited adoption of globally recognised standards such as NFPA 5000 (Building Construction and Safety Code) and the International Building Code.

He identifies systemic breakdowns at three stages: inadequate scrutiny during plan approvals, weak post-construction inspections, and minimal penalties during ongoing compliance. Referring to international models, he cites Singapore’s Civil Defence Force as an example of strong municipal enforcement combined with independent oversight.

Dr Muhammad Imran Taj

For meaningful reform, Dr Taj argues enforcement bodies must have the authority to seal unsafe buildings, prosecute owners and officials, and operate with independent budgets. While technology such as GIS mapping and digital audits can improve transparency, he cautions that “technology cannot replace political will”.

Asked to name a single reform to prevent future tragedies, he stresses mandatory, periodic fire safety inspections backed by real enforcement powers.

Civic accountability

Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, Coordinator, Concerned Citizens Alliance (CCA)
and former Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), frames Karachi’s recurring fire tragedies as a failure of political will, ownership, and implementation, rather than an absence of laws.

Dr Mirza Ali Azhar

He argues that compensation has become a substitute for  accountability, serving more as a mechanism to mask institutional  incompetence than to address root causes. “Compensation is not  accountability,” he notes, adding that it often creates further  distress among victims’ families due to disputes over distribution,  while leaving systemic failures untouched.

According to Dr Azhar, meaningful change can only occur   through strict enforcement of existing laws, combined with the   inclusion of citizens, civil society organisations, and community representatives in oversight mechanisms. He stresses that NGOs enjoy greater public trust than state institutions, citing organisations such as Edhi, Chhipa, and JDC, which people rely on due to their constant presence and responsiveness.

However, he is candid about the limitations of civil society. Documenting violations, he says, remains the responsibility of local and provincial governments, though citizen groups can offer guidance and support if engaged sincerely.

On the idea of stricter enforcement and accountability, Dr Azhar remains sceptical, questioning who would initiate action in a system where “impunity is entrenched”. He warns that without a fundamental reset — defining clear goals, appointing individuals of integrity, seeking international expertise, and enforcing laws without political or bureaucratic interference — reforms may remain aspirational.

“In all honesty,” he concludes, “this risks becoming wishful thinking. Nothing will change unless we want change — and until then, we will wait for the next disaster and start the same discussion again.”

Part II of this report examines the regulatory gaps, accountability questions, and structural reforms needed to prevent future tragedies.

(Originally published by Social Track, Karachi)